| Floodplain and regional drainage management are part of the West Gippsland Catchment Managment Authority’s core business statutory responsibilities. The floodplain management and rural drainage functions of the Authority have been assigned under the provisions of the Water Act 1989.
Floodplain Management
A floodplain is the area of land that is inundated when a waterway can no longer contain the catchment’s run-off within its beds and banks. As such, the floodplain is an intrinsic part of a waterway system. Most floodplain areas are privately owned property and the WGCMA also has input into how they are managed.
The main aims of floodplain management are to protect:
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Life, property and community assets from flooding;
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The natural flood carrying and storage functions of floodplains and waterways; and
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Floodplain areas of environmental significance.
Works on Waterways
The East and West Gippsland Catchment Management Authorities (EGCMA & WGCMA) manage the health of waterways across Gippsland by ensuring that work on waterways in the region is properly designed. This is to ensure development does not adversely affect the stability of a waterway or impact upon water quality or flow.
East and West Gippsland CMAs
In accordance with the Water Act 1989 and the CMA Waterway Protection By-law, any works or activities in, on, or over a designated waterway must have approval from the appropriate CMA through a Works On Waterways Permit.
Land Owners and Land Managers
Inappropriate development in and around waterways can lead to bed and bank erosion, obstruction and alteration of flows, restriction of fish passage, changes to flood behavior and impact on river health and water quality.
It is the responsibility of land owners and land managers to seek appropriate advice and permits when planning work on a designated waterway.
DSE’s Catchment Information Mapper contains detailed information and can assist you to locate waterways on your property. The Mapper can be found on the DSE website by clicking here. (Note: You will be redirected to the DSE website)
NOTE: PENALTIES APPLY IF YOU DO WORKS ON A WATERWAY WITHOUT A PERMIT
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