The Harcourt community is being asked to do its bit to help protect the local area from future flooding.
The North Central Catchment Management Authority is supporting the Mount Alexander Shire Council development of a Flood Study for Harcourt and calling on residents to share their knowledge of past flood events to better inform how they manage and mitigate the impacts of flooding into the future.
North Central CMA project officer Nick Butler said Harcourt flooded in 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2016.
“From previous flood events we know there is little information available on record to create a full picture of what happens when Harcourt experiences a large-scale flood event,” he said.
“We have contracted Venant Solutions to help pull the study together, but locals know the area better than anyone.
We’re wanting to hear from the community to tell us what happens on the ground when the area floods.
“We’re also keen to hear community ideas about what could be done to protect the area. The more we hear from the community, the stronger our flood planning is.
“We’ll be rugged up and at the Castlemaine Farmers Market on Wednesday August 3 from 2.30-4.30pm. If you have photos from past flood events or would like to share your local knowledge, we would love to have a chat.”
Mr Butler said the Flood Study would identify the potential impacts of future flooding and, more importantly, help the community prepare.
The study will include modelling scenarios to identify areas that are at risk of flooding.
A project steering committee with local representatives will provide input and feedback to the North Central CMA during the development of the study.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of April, 2023.
It is jointly funded by the federal and state governments under the Risk and Resilience Grants Program.
