The main role of State Government in floodplain management is to develop and implement State policy, best practice processes and appropriate investment of Government resources. The State Government also supports the Catchment Management Authorities and Melbourne Water, which, as floodplain management authorities, are responsible for regional floodplain managenment issues.

Department of Sustainability and Environment

The role of the Department of Sustainability and Environment's Floodplain Management Unit is to:

• Develop State legislation, policy and standards for flood management and provide input to national flood management policy.
• Provide inter-governmental, state-wide and regional liaison.
• Provide quality assurance for regional programs.
• Oversee appropriate investment of Government resources.
• Coordinate and maintain the state-wide flood database.
• Contribute to the collection of flood data for major floods of State significance.
• Support and assist communities in the implementation of cost effective flood mitigation works, which reduce the risk of flooding to existing development.
• Facilitate management arrangements for levee systems across the state.
• Encourage and facilitate the implementation of flood warning systems and provide real time access to stream flow data collection networks for flood warning purposes.
• Provide timely flood advice to emergency management agencies.
• Support community education and knowledge.
• Assist in the assessment of natural disaster relief claims for the restoration of flood damage to public assets.

State Emergency Service (VicSES)

The role of the Victoria State Emergency Service is to:

• Provide advice, information, education, training and assistance in emergency management.
• Assist municipal councils to develop emergency management plans.
• Act as control agency for storms and floods.
• Rescue persons from, or endangered by, emergency or dangerous situations.
• Disseminate flood warnings to municipal councils and other bodies identified in the municipal emergency management plan.