Community invited to have their say on proposed flood planning changes
Published on 27 August 2026
West Wimmera Shire Council is seeking community feedback on proposed changes to flood-related planning controls in Harrow and Chetwynd.
Draft Amendment C38wwim proposes updated flood mapping and new planning controls to better reflect the risk of flooding in the two townships.
The proposed changes include new controls for areas at higher risk of flooding and updates to existing flood mapping.
West Wimmera Shire Council Chief Executive Officer David Bezuidenhout said the proposed changes would provide clearer information about flood risk when decisions are made about future development.
"Understanding where flooding can occur is an important part of planning for the future of our communities," he said.
"We encourage affected landowners and community members to look at the proposed mapping and have their say."
The proposed changes are based on flood investigations undertaken for Harrow and Chetwynd.
The amendment also includes changes to the way existing flood information is shown in Dergholm and Connewirricoo.
These changes are administrative and will not change the existing flood rules that apply to properties in these areas.
The proposed changes would introduce two different levels of flood controls in Harrow and Chetwynd.
The Floodway Overlay would apply to areas where the risk of flooding is higher.
The Land Subject to Inundation Overlay would apply to areas where the flood risk is lower, but still needs to be considered when development is proposed.
The proposed controls are intended to ensure new development takes flood risk into account.
"Council understands that changes to planning rules can raise questions for affected landowners," Mr Bezuidenhout said.
"We are providing information online and holding information sessions so people can better understand what is proposed and ask questions."
Information sessions are planned for Chetwynd and Harrow on Thursday 3 September.
These will be ran jointly by West Wimmera Shire Council and the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority.
The Chetwynd session will run from 10.30am to 12.30pm at the Chetwynd Hall.
The Harrow session will run from 2pm to 5pm at the Harrow Hall.
Affected landowners and community members are encouraged to review the proposed changes and make a written submission.
Submissions must explain whether the submitter supports or opposes the proposed amendment.
They should also outline any changes the submitter would like to see.
Submissions close at 5pm on Monday 28 September 2026.
Submissions can be made online through Council's website or by post to West Wimmera Shire Council, Attn: Planning, PO Box 201, Edenhope VIC 3318.
The draft amendment documents, proposed flood mapping and supporting flood studies are available at https://www.westwimmera.vic.gov.au/Have-Your-Say/Draft-Amendment-C38wwim-Flood-Studies