Council releases updated flood modelling report

Published on 22 January 2019

The City of Launceston is committed to doing everything possible to reduce the impact of floods on our community.

The Council has recently completed a significant review of the North and South Esk rivers flood behaviour.

General Manager Michael Stretton, said that the Council is committed to appropriate flood plain management to make sure we are best prepared for any future flood events.

“We are releasing the review today so that everyone in our community can see for themselves the challenges we face as a community moving forward with regard to flood risk.”

Mr Stretton said that the review also provided updated projections showing how Launceston’s levees would respond to significant extreme weather events in the future.

“The review also looks at what the impacts of increased rainfall would mean for Launceston. While the Guidelines suggest an increase in rainfall intensity over coming decades, the levee system we have in place has capacity to handle a significant increase in intensity for most extreme weather events,” Mr Stretton said.

Mr Stretton said that while the levee system is working well, there is no room for complacency.

"Since the 1929 floods, many flood mitigation measures have been undertaken, the most significant of which was the construction of the Launceston Flood Protection Scheme, which now spans the waterway edges between Newstead and the north of Invermay," Mr Stretton said.

"The Scheme, designed to protect low lying areas of Launceston, will continue to protect the City in all flood events in magnitude up to that of 1929.

“The rainfall modelling in the review means that we need to make sure we have in place the best possible floodplain management policies and guidelines and planning processes and that they are updated to reflect the outcomes of the review, and that’s what the Council will be working on.”

Mr Stretton said that it was unlikely the review would have an impact on insurance premiums given that Launceston’s flood risk is well known and well understood.

“We will continue to work with all stakeholders to reduce the impacts on the community, including the Insurance Council of Australia, but at this stage we’re not aware of any impacts on insurance as a result of the review and the updated flood modelling or mapping.

“It’s also very important that we continue provide comprehensive information to the community, that’s why we are releasing the review in full."

Council officers will hold information sessions in the Council offices off Civic Square in Town Hall between 12 and 2pm this Thursday and then later in the day between 3 and 5pm, with experts on hand to answer any questions.

Mr Stretton said that the community can be confident that the Council is doing everything possible to manage the impact of extreme weather events.

North and South Esk Rivers Flood Modelling and Mapping Update Volume 1: Technical Report(PDF, 11MB)

North and South Esk Rivers Flood Modelling and Mapping Update Volume 2: Flood Mapping(PDF, 48MB)