Communities across Victoria will be better protected from future flood impacts thanks to the Allan Labor Government’s $5.8 million Regional Flood Risk Reduction Grants Program.

Local Members for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan, Bendigo West Maree Edwards and Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes, this week announced initiatives that will focus on increasing flood protection and mitigation for local communities. This includes the installation of moveable flood barriers, connecting gaps in existing levee systems, improving flood risk mapping and updating flood studies to reflect current conditions.

These projects aim to address the ongoing impacts of climate change while strengthening existing infrastructure and expanding community knowledge about future disaster risk.

Range of areas

The funding will be shared by a range of different Local Government areas and projects including:

• Buloke Shire – LiDAR and Flood Modelling Initiative.
• Campaspe Shire – Flood review & Mitigation project – Phase 2.
• Gannawarra Shire – Kerang Township Protection Levee – Murphy Street Rehabilitation Design.
• Swan Hill Rural City – Pental Island Levee Renewal Project: Supporting community to manage their flood risks.
• City of Greater Bendigo – Updated Climate Change Flood Mapping in the North Central Region.
• Hepburn Shire – Updated Climate Change Flood Mapping in the North Central Region.
• Loddon Shire – Updated Climate Change Flood Mapping in the North Central Region.

Some of its worst

Victoria experienced some of its worst flooding on record in October 2022, and these grants to further the Labor Government’s work to support communities across the state to be better prepared for flood events – and importantly led locally for their unique needs.

One of the key projects will improve flood resilience in Rochester and Echuca by investing in flood mitigation infrastructure, including moveable barriers and flood gates.

This will protect homes, infrastructure and essential services like the Rochester Early Learning Centre – reducing reliance on labour-intensive sandbagging, supporting businesses and maintaining access to medical and emergency services in the event of a flood.

The program is funded by the State Government, through the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and is administered by Emergency Management Victoria.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 8 August 2025.