Flooding in Myrtleford and district is back under the microscope.
Key findings and recommendations from the 'Myrtleford Flood Study, Flood Modelling Report 2025' were last month received and accepted by a majority of Alpine Shire councillors, who have asked officers to prepare a planning scheme amendment for the town in order to update the outdated flood controls.
The recent report aimed to deliver more accurate and contemporary flood modelling and mapping of the Myrtleford township and the surrounding areas, including Barwidgee, Buffalo River, Gapsted and Ovens.
Council's director of assets, Alan Rees, summarised the flood study report at the council meeting and, in response to a question from Councillor Jean-Pierre Ronco, explained the next steps for council.
"Council officers would prepare a letter to the Minister for Planning, requesting the minister’s authorisation to initiate the planning scheme amendment process," Mr Rees said.
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"Once we hear back from the minister, the process of translating this report into a planning scheme amendment [would begin], so there is quite a lot of work that still lies ahead.
"I think it’s also important to note: as part of this process, there will be an opportunity for community consultation and engagement and we’d encourage the community to engage in that process."
Mayor Sarah Nicholas asked Mr Rees if there were currently houses built in Myrtleford on land which floods.
“Yes, there are," he said.
"All the more reason for us to understand what the implications are for future flooding events, given what the modelling has demonstrated with updated rainfall and run-off, and also looking at the future likelihood of flooding events, particularly the one-in-one-hundred-year [flood event]."
The item was moved by Councillor John Andersen and seconded by Councillor Gareth Graham, before being taken to the vote and carried.
Councillor Ronco did not vote either way and Councillor Dave Byrne was not present, having stepped out of the meeting due to a conflict of interest.
