Rosetown Flood/Storm Surge Mitigation Planning

The Rosetown area has been subject to significant recent inundation due to storm surges, combined with high tides, that have flooded the area, via the Maria Creek drain. Once the area becomes inundated, there is no local drainage infrastructure resulting in pooled water sitting in the area for extended periods.

Rosetown Drainage Study

Council has undertaken an investigation that has primarily focused on reducing the risk of future inundation of the area due to storm surge whilst also looking at what options can be provided to give the area some type of drainage system. The report can be viewed below:

Rosetown Stormwater Investigation

The scope of this study included review of several strategies already proposed by community members and consideration of high-level concept options to prevent storm surge from tidal events, including:

Review of LIDAR survey data of the area and identified breach points where tidal water is inundating the Rosetown area;
Review of predicted peak tidal levels from information available;
Potential site/s for retention basin/s;
Levee walls – if these can be made successfully to mitigate flooding and without compromising other resident areas, through transfer of water to other areas;
Stormwater drainage system investments such as culverts and kerb/channel construction;
Other strategies that can mitigate and overcome future storm surge and potential flooding events; and
The suggestion of a weir as having a positive impact on Maria Creek flooding is as yet not confirmed but is also under investigation.

Completing these strategic pieces of work is the crucial first step in regard to having baseline data set that will assist Council in applying for multiple streams of grant funding, as outcomes to mitigate against future events are expected to be very costly. These outcomes and other improvement strategies will be part of a broader discussion with residents from Rosetown (such as a community forum) prior to any physical works commencing.

A key action upon completion of the study will be the formation of a Rosetown working group which will work alongside Council ensuring decisions are consistent, considered and actions are implemented in a timely manner. There will be more information on this to come a later date.