At the broadest level, the Commonwealth is responsible for national flood management programs; the State Government is responsible for state-wide issues; Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) and Melbourne Water are responsible for catchment wide or regional issues; local government is responsible for local issues and land holders are responsible for flood management on their own properties.

The CMAs and Melbourne Water inform their communities of the flood risks in their particular regions, providing flood information for planning purposes and assessments of flood risk for specific properties. The CMAs have also prepared regional floodplain management strategies, which among other things, provide frameworks for flood studies and related projects within their areas of responsibility. These strategies have been developed, in consultation with the local community and key stakeholders, to address major flooding issues. Melbourne Water has undertaken similar activities, although management arrangements differ.

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