The $37.11 million ‘reducing the risks of floods in a changing climate’ initiative is a 4-year program that commenced in 2024-25. Preparing, planning for, and responding to a flood event is key to reducing damage and protecting livelihoods.

To support this aim, we oversee the investment in detailed flood studies for flood prone communities, designs for construction of flood mitigation infrastructure and improved flood warning systems.

Flood studies will provide maps and other data to assist catchment management authorities (CMAs) and local government authorities (LGAs) to avoid building homes and businesses on land that will flood in the future.

Increasing public access to flood maps will support people to make better informed decisions about their flood risks.

Through this program, we are:

  • partnering with the Bureau of Meteorology continually improve Victoria’s flood warning systems.
  • supporting CMAs with funding to implement regional floodplain management strategies and
  • continuing to add flood maps and improve our online FloodZoom platform (meeting our obligations to support Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) in responding to floods).

Expenditure to date

  • 2024–25 expenditure: $8.99 million

Annual progress summary

Key milestones delivered during this first year included:

  • Funding agreements with the 9 regional CMAs were established to allocate $7.2 million funding over 4 years to undertake coordination of Regional Floodplain Management Strategies and relevant activities set out by the Victorian Floodplain Management Strategy.
  • An investment plan for new flood studies was confirmed for 2024–25 in consultation with CMAs and the local councils in their regions. A total of 13 new flood studies received funding in February 2025, with all commenced by 30 June 2025.
  • A competitive Regional Flood Risk Reduction Grants program opened for applications from flood project managers in November 2024 and closed 19 December 2024. 19 applications were received, with 10 projects addressing climate change adaptation, future flood resilience, and local flood risk management approved for funding totalling $5.8 million. Projects are expected to be completed by July 2027. Emergency Management Victoria is coordinating the program on behalf of DEECA.
  • The full suite of Victoria’s flood mapping held by FloodZoom has been shared with the Insurance Council of Australia for use by the insurance sector when setting premiums.

Page last updated: 05/11/25