FAQs
Find out more about the project and key words and phrases used.
Project update - Newstead Flood Study
After the Community Information Session in March 2026 and several meetings with community members and stakeholders, the project was presented to Council for a decision.
At the Council Meeting on 19 May 2026, Council endorsed the Newstead Flood Study. Council also approved the updated Mitigation Option 6 (raising, extending and realigning the levee) as the preferred way to reduce flood impacts in Newstead.
The updated design for Mitigation Option 6 includes changes based on feedback from the community. In particular, the section of levee between Recreation Avenue and Punt Road has been adjusted. These changes are detailed in the plan titled Newstead Realigned Levee Mit6s.
One key improvement is that the levee has been moved further back from the river in some areas. This helps water flow more easily across the floodplain and reduces flood impacts, especially for areas to the west of the river.
Council’s decision means the flood study is now complete, and the project will move into the levee design stage, in line with the study’s recommendations.
Council and staff would like to sincerely thank everyone in the community who contributed to the project by sharing feedback, attending information sessions, and meeting on site - your input has been very important in shaping this outcome.
Key study documents
A clear, accessible overview of the study findings, modelling results, key issues and recommended next steps. Read it here.
Clear, practical information on how different flood levels behave in Newstead, including local triggers, indicators, flood pathways, and expected impacts - supporting residents and emergency services with early decision‑making. Read it here.
Identifies opportunities to improve Newstead’s flood warning systems, including more timely, locally relevant alerts and clearer communication. Read it here.
- A model (called RORB*) was used to study how much rainfall becomes runoff and flows during floods in the Newstead area.
- The model was tested using real data from past floods, including the big floods in January 2011 and October 2022.
- The model used information from several river gauges, including the Loddon River at Newstead.
- The study also looked at how climate change might increase rainfall and affect flooding in the near future (2030) and long-term (2100).
- The results show that the model is reliable and can be used to help plan for future floods in Newstead.
* RORB is a computer program used for calculating flood hydrographs from rainfall and other inputs, and is widely used in hydrology, particularly in Australia.
- A flood model (called TUFLOW) was created to show how water moves through Newstead during floods.
- It was tested using past floods, including the October 2022 and September 2016 events, and matched real data, including recorded flood heights and photos.
- The model was used to simulate a wide range of flood scenarios, from more common floods to very rare ones.
- It also looked at how climate change might affect flooding by the year 2100.
- The model will also be used to explore flood mitigation options, inform planning decisions and improve emergency planning.
This report summarises the information collected for the study, including streamflow, rainfall, land levels, drainage structures (pipes, pits, culverts), and past projects.
It identifies missing information and how it will be collected, and explains how flooding and water movement will be modelled. Download the report here.
It identifies missing information and how it will be collected, and explains how flooding and water movement will be modelled. Download the report here.
Learn more about the first stage of community consultation and what we heard.
Learn more about the second stage of community consultation and what we heard.
Check the plan to see the updated design for Mitigation Option 6, which has been changed based on community feedback. This includes updates to the levee between Recreation Avenue and Punt Road.
