Debate over another proposed flood wall in Flemington to protect new development hotspots

A proposal to build another major flood wall near Flemington Racecourse has raised questions about the region’s disaster planning.

Melbourne Water proposed building another major flood wall just 200m from Flemington Racecourse to protect a future apartment hotspot, raising questions about the region’s disaster planning.

Advice prepared for Melbourne City Council for its Maribyrnong Waterfront precinct has revealed new details about flood challenges along the river.

The industrial area in West Melbourne has been rezoned for “mixed use” and has been tipped to become a new mini suburb.

A $230m plan is before the council to create a new “sky neighbourhood” with riverside bars, restaurants, and buildings 14 storeys high.

Another flood wall could be built just 200m from Flemington Racecourse. Picture: David Caird

But since 2020, planners for the council have been working out how to mitigate flood risks for the low-lying area while transforming it into a new inner-city hub.

Documents produced for this work reveal that Melbourne Water, as the responsible agency, had put forward a plan for a 2.7m flood wall along the eastern riverbank that would protect new development hotspots on Kensington Rd and Hobsons Rd.

These areas were exposed to flooding last week, but the most significant damage was on the other side of the river, with some residents exposed to flooding for the first time.

An extra wall would provide nearly 1km of flood protection on the Maribyrnong River’s eastern bank, but it is not stated whether the project would increase flood risks in other suburbs.

The plan has now come under renewed scrutiny after the original wall at Flemington Racecourse, just 200m further north, was criticised by nearby residents, who claimed it had added to their homes being inundated with water.

If this proven to be true, it could cast doubt over the safety of Melbourne Water’s proposal.

The Andrews government has agreed to independently review whether Flemington’s flood wall contributed to the scale of flooding in the area.

The project was first approved by the Bracks government in 2004 and completed in 2007, with three local councils opposing the idea.

Melbourne Water’s own research at the time supported its construction by requiring upgrades to the river to offset flooding risks, although this modelling was disputed.

Consultants for the City of Melbourne acknowledged this work was done when assessing flood dangers in West Melbourne.

“To compensate for the loss of flood plain storage, works were undertaken in two areas to provide smoother river hydraulics, which resulted in a minor lowering of the river flood levels,” one document reads.

But experts warned that nearby Riverside Park, which was expected to assist as a flood plain, was ineffective because it was “over-engineered” and said the area around the river remained a flood risk.

Rather than a flood wall, they called for a different approach to the West Melbourne precinct using levees and wetlands.

Victoria Racing Club chief executive Steve Rosich said: “Our thoughts are with those that have been impacted across the state from this extraordinary weather event that has caused flooding across Victoria.

“The Victoria Racing Club will fully co-operate with Melbourne Water as they conduct their review into the Maribyrnong River flood event.”