Floods are often seen as unexpected natural disasters, yet they are a part of the natural water cycle and will occur from time to time. The floods in Victoria in January 2011 occurred as the result of prolonged heavy rainfall, where some towns received their highest ever January rainfall.

DSE’s Floodplain Management Unit is responsible for developing legislation, statewide policy and standards for flood management and providing input to national flood management policy and oversight and support to Catchment management authorities and Melbourne Water.

DSE also coordinates and maintains the state-wide flood database and contributes to the collection of flood data for major floods of State significance.

DSE supports community education and assists local government to implement flood mitigation works, which reduce the risk of flooding for existing development, in a cost effective manner.

Catchment management authorities (CMAs) and Melbourne Water develop, oversee and implement regional floodplain management strategies. These strategies integrate local floodplain management issues and prioritise the development of urban and rural floodplain management plans within the region.

CMAs also have a role as referral authorities for areas identified as a flood zone or overlay in municipal planning schemes. They facilitate incorporating information from flood investigations into planning scheme overlays and respond to  planning referrals relating to development or works within floodplains.

The CMAs are also responsible for waterway management and have functions for regional rural drainage management.