Levee banks project timeline

2010

September and November


Significant rainfall led to flooding in the shire.

2011

January


Widespread rainfall and flooding occurs across the state. The shire receives around five times the average January rainfall over five days, leading to major flash flooding.

Sixty-five households, 40 farming properties, 11 commercial properties and 10 Council buildings are damaged. There is also considerable damage to footpaths, trails and recreation reserves.

There is flooding in Campbells Creek, Newstead, Yapeen, Chewton, Guildford, Taradale, Metcalfe, Baringhup Caravan Park and Castlemaine (Gingell Street, Bruce Street and Elizabeth Street).

February


The Victorian Government leads a review of the 2010 Flood Warning and Response.

August


Victoria SES receives funding to develop the Mount Alexander Emergency Flood Management Plan.

2012

February


Further high rainfall and flooding occurs. Most of the 157mm rainfall was over two days. This included 81mm in two hours, considered to be a once in more than 100 year event. Around 110 properties are flooded.

The worst affected properties were in Campbells Creek, Chewton, Maldon, Taradale and Castlemaine (Bruce Street, Berkley Street, Johnston Street, Barker Street, Urquhart Street and Bull Street).

October


The Victorian Government approves a study to undertake the Flood Management Plan.

The North Central Catchment Management Authority (North Central CMA) contracts GHD to develop the plan.
 

November


GHD begins its review of available data and historic flood information.

 

2013

January


North Central CMA release an Expression of Interest seeking community members to join a Planning Steering Committee. This committee guides the development of the Flood Management Plan.

Work continues in 2013 and 2014 on hydrological, hydraulic, flood damage and mitigation assessments. These assessments feed into plan recommendations.

2015

March


Community consultation sessions are held in Castlemaine and Campbells Creek. Local residents offer their insights into the Flood Management Plan.

November


Council adopts recommendations of the Flood Management Plan. The plan includes:
  • the development of an Urban Waterways Management Plan
  • an amendment to the Mount Alexander Shire Planning Scheme with updated flood maps
  • an assessment of flood warning system improvements
  • construction of levees and waterway improvements (this project).

2016

March


Council conducts a competitive tendering process. We award the contract for investigation and design of flood mitigation treatments to Cardno Victoria.

April to May


Cardno began geotechnical investigation site works.

July and November


Community consultation is held with Gingell Street residents about levee design.

2017

March


We receive a draft plan for proposed waterway improvement works downstream of Alexandra Street Bridge at Campbells Creek.

June


Cardno issue levee design drawings for public consultation. Community drop-in sessions are held in Castlemaine and Campbells Creek.

Residents offer input into the proposed designs for Castlemaine and Campbells Creek.

2018

February


Councillors endorsed the designs for Central Cabin and Van Park, Elizabeth Street, Campbells Creek Township and National School Lane levees.

They also endorse waterway improvement activity downstream of the Alexandra Street Bridge in Campbells Creek.

Councillors also endorse the need for further community consultation for levees in Gingell Street in Castlemaine.

Councillors endorse the Newstead levee as part of a separate design contract.

October


Council adopt the C082 planning amendment to manage flood risk and the Castlemaine Urban Waterways Management Plan at its Ordinary Meeting of Council.

2019

March


The Minister for Planning approves the amendment (C082) to the Mount Alexander Planning Scheme.

The amendment incorporates new flood mapping boundaries and planning overlays in flood prone areas in Castlemaine, Campbells Creek and Chewton.

April


A funding agreement is approved between Council and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). This allows for permits and approvals for construction of levee banks and waterway improvements.

August


Council began work to prepare the project for construction (the Development phase).

2020

January


Work commences to liaise and engage with local businesses, residents and relevant stakeholders to update them on the current phase of the project.

2021

January 

The Campbells Creek levee has a sewer in the crown land reserve. The conceptual levee design is to be constructed very close to it. Liaise with Coliban to clarify the limitation of conducting works close to the sewer and inform the detailed design of these limitations.

December

Received formal notification from DELWP that they have received federal funding for the Castlemaine and Campbells Creek Levee Banks project as part of the National Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program (NFMIP).

Cultural Heritage Management Plan approved by Dja Dja Wurrung's (RAP) CEO, Mr Rodney Carter.

 

2022

July 

Received final draft of the biodiversity assessment.

2023

June

Awarded levee bank detailed design to contractor.

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