Federation Council adopted the study in November 2025 and began assessing building and development applications against a 1% AEP (one-in-one-hundred-year) flood, which required floor heights to be 500mm above the flood height.
For some, that meant raising the floor level more than a metre with additional costs running into six figures.
Insurance quotes immediately skyrocketed and the ramifications sent shock waves through the building industry and the community.
The findings of the 2024 Murray River Towns Flood Study have not yet been incorporated into Moira Shire Council’s Planning Scheme, but under Regulation 153 of the Building Regulations 2018, the council must consult with the floodplain management authority for building proposals in flood-prone areas.
Dick Morriss and his wife Jane had planned to build their dream retirement home on Anchorage Way in Yarrawonga.
When their building application was referred to Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority they were advised they would need to raise their floor levels by another 720mm.
Goulburn Broken CMA Floodplain Implementation Manger, Joel Leister said Federation Council’s Corowa, Howlong and Mulwala Flood Study (2024) represented the best available flood information for the Murray River.
“It is the first time Lake Hume to Lake Mulwala section of the Murray River has been modelled," he said.
"Goulburn Broken CMA uses the best available information to respond to statutory referrals and requests for floodplain advice to help communities plan, manage risks, and build homes that are safe from flooding.”
While giving no timeframe, Mr Leister said Goulburn Broken CMA would be engaging with affected landowners and the community as part of a process to declare 1% AEP flood levels and had commenced discussions with Moira Shire Council on Planning Scheme amendments.
Moira Shire Council CEO, Matthew Morgan said the council was aware of several applications for Report and Consent under the Victorian Building Regulations where GBCMA had relied on updated flood modelling.
“We’ve asked GBCMA to clarify the process that they will go through and particularly the level of consultation with the community about flood level modelling and impacts, and the timing of them to declare new flood levels,” Mr Morgan said.
“We understand that properties with an existing flood overlay may trigger a referral to GBMCA, and that if the landowners are not happy with their determination around floor level requirements, that it may be appealed at the Victorian Building Appeals Board.”
Dick and Jane Morriss are out of pocket about $15,000, plus $25,000 deposit for the build, some of which has already been used on building preparations.
“We had a plan and designed a home that was all level because we wanted to retire, but this means we’d need too many stairs and to build it off the ground on pillars,” Mr Morriss said.
“It’s changed the whole feel of the project and it’s too much money to pay for something that isn’t what we wanted.”
After being told there was no way around it, the couple have “pulled the pin” on their project and are planning to sell the block.
“We’re really disappointed; it was our dream, but what can we do,” he said.
“We’ve reflected on it and when we put it into perspective, there’s worse that could happen.
“I feel sorry for the builders, they were very understanding.”
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