Stormwater & Flood Management Framework – Frankston City Council

Rain Consulting partnered with Frankston City Council to develop a new Stormwater and Flood Management Framework. The Framework will guide the Council’s approach to stormwater quality, flood risk, urban planning, drainage asset management, and climate adaptation. The project combines technical expertise and community engagement to develop a resilient and sustainable approach for Frankston’s future.

Above & Beyond Strategies

Frankston City Council faces a growing challenge in managing flood and stormwater risks due to rapid urbanisation, climate change, coastal hazards, and ageing infrastructure. The project requires balancing technical rigour, stakeholder expectations, and real-world constraints, all while ensuring the Council’s strategy aligns with state and regional priorities.

Rain delivered the following solutions.

• Review and refine the Council’s draft Framework, ensuring it meets best practice and aligns with the Port Phillip and Westernport Flood Management Strategy.
• Identify knowledge gaps and address barriers in planning, design, installation, and maintenance of drainage assets.
• Facilitate workshops and engage a wide range of stakeholders, drawing on experience from similar projects in Yarra Ranges and Kingston.
• Assess flood behaviour, stormwater capacity, and the impact of climate change, including sea level rise and coastal flooding.
• Provide a structured pathway for prioritising and maintaining assets, including WSUD (Water Sensitive Urban Design) assets and knowledge hubs.
• Develop a robust stakeholder engagement plan, data review, and GIS-based mapping for catchments, drainage networks, and high-risk areas.
• Recommend innovative solutions for real-time monitoring, data sharing, and knowledge management.
• Address asset transfer issues under MUSIA, with direct experience from Rain’s leadership of the Melbourne Urban Stormwater Institutional Arrangements project.

The Framework will provide Frankston City Council with a clear, actionable plan for stormwater and flood management, practical guidance on asset maintenance, and a platform for ongoing community engagement and climate adaptation.

The strategy is designed to be updated and improved as new data and challenges emerge.