⊸ News ⋅ By Emily Kulich
Published at 4:57pm on Monday 13 October 2025

MELBOURNE Water has released an interactive map of its revised stormwater flood hazard ratings in Darebin, and is seeking your input.

Four flood maps are under review as part of the city-wide Greater Melbourne Flood Information Program, which seeks to update flood models every five years and update then once a decade.

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Flood maps help plan water infrastructure upgrades, and also inform general development decisions.

The stormwater drain map is the first in Darebin to have updates published, and Melbourne Water is seeing comment on the revised map’s accuracy.

Above: a section of the draft map. Source: Melbourne Water.

Floodwater depth and speed have informed the updated ratings, which see affected properties given one of six classifications. These range from H1 (depth up to 0.3m or speed up to 2m/s) to H6 (depth over 4m and/or speed over 4m/s).

Reviews are also underway for flooding around the Darebin Creek, Merri Creek (Lower), and Yarra River (Lower). The three river maps are yet to have updates released.

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For its review, Melbourne Water is particularly interested in hearing locals’ real-life experience of flooding in the area. It is also seeking insights into construction works – including fences, walls and landscaping – that may affect how water pools or flows.

Three information sessions on the updated maps are planned – one online, and two in-person. These are:

• a flood mapping webinar for Darebin and Yarra on 16 October;
• a community information session in Reservoir on 22 October; and
• a second community information session in Fairfield on 15 November.

The feedback window will close on Friday 21 November 2025.

You can provide input on the maps and find out more about the review in Darebin on the Melbourne Water website.

General information on the program and flood preparation can be found on the here.

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