Many parts of Myrtleford remain unprotected by reliable statutory flood controls despite a history of flood events, most notably in 1993, 2010 and 2022, according to a new report.
The Myrtleford Flood Study Flood Modelling Report 2025 also found that under flood conditions, Happy Valley Creek and the adjacent floodplain carries a significant portion of the total Ovens River flow in immediate proximity to the urban centre of Myrtleford.
The report was commissioned by Alpine Shire Council in partnership with the North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA) as a high-priority action of the North East Regional Floodplain Management Strategy 2018-2028.
Councillors have adopted the report and also resolved to prepare a planning scheme amendment to implement its findings and recommendations in the Alpine Planning Scheme.
This new study was driven by the need to update the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay (LSIO) flood controls in the Alpine Planning Scheme, which were based on inconsistent legacy datasets and aimed to deliver accurate and contemporary flood modelling and mapping for the Myrtleford township and surrounding areas, which includes Barwidgee, Buffalo River, Gapsted and Ovens.
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According to the report, the main township of Myrtleford in a 20 per cent Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) event is largely flood free, although there is water along the Great Alpine Road, with houses in the vicinity of Standish Street, Maude Street and Lewis Avenue surrounded by floodwater.
However, a one per cent AEP event causes more significant inundation in Myrtleford, with floodwaters reaching the Myrtleford Police Station in Queen Street.
The study considered a number of factors and results of future flood events, such as: flood duration, depth, water velocity and hazards to buildings.
In all events tested, very few buildings in the study are subjected to velocity by depth readings of greater than 1.0m2/s, which are hazardous to buildings.
The flood study utilised available LiDAR topographic data to determine flood levels and extents for a range of flood frequencies for the townships of Myrtleford and Ovens and the rural locations across the middle Ovens and Buffalo River floodplains.
It focused on providing emergency flood intelligence for Myrtleford and Ovens linked to the Eurobin gauge, flood mapping suitable for contemporary emergency and planning technology platforms, updates to the Municipal Flood Emergency Plan and Local Flood Guide, and information for the planning scheme and associated referrals across the middle Ovens River and the Buffalo River.
Information from this comprehensive study will now directly inform planning decisions, emergency management and community preparedness.
For more information, visit: https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/building-business/strategic-planning/strategic-planning-projects/myrtleford-flood-study-2025
