These principles and guidelines have been developed to assist all levels of government, the private sector and the community to manage, in partnership, the flood risk associated with Australia’s floodplains on a sustainable basis for the benefit of both present and future generations.

The book provides a better understanding of flood behaviour, flood risk and the consequences of flooding. It puts forward the ways in which these issues can be addressed using best practice guidelines to foster the optimal use of the nation's floodplains.

It consists of five Chapters and 16 Appendices, a glossary of technical terms and a list of references and further reading. The main text is preceded by a summary of best practice principles for floodplain management.

Acknowledgments

Preface

Summary of best practice for floodplain management in Australia

Acronyms

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Flooding and floodplains
1.2 Floodplains – a national asset
1.3 Floodplains – a national cost
1.4 Floodplain management – a planning process
1.5 A brief history of floodplain management
1.6 Objectives of floodplain management
1.7 Local agencies and their role
1.8 Flood risk management
1.9 Stormwater flooding

2.1 Integration of policy and legislation
2.2 A total catchment approach
2.3 Integration of floodplain management measures
2.4 Integration of roles and responsibilities
2.5 Integration of floodplain management plans and flood
    emergency plans
2.6 Integration of resource management considerations
2.7 Integration of stormwater and mainstream flooding behaviour

Chapter 3: The floodplain management process

3.1 Floodplain management policy
3.2 Statutory Planning System
3.3 Floodplain Management System
3.4 The Flood Emergency System
3.5 Defined flood events
3.6 Land use and hazard
3.7 Development and building controls
3.8 Flood maps
3.9 Freeboard
3.10 Levees
3.11 Education, training and research

4.1 Local agencies
4.2 State and Territory Governments
4.3 The Commonwealth Government
4.4 Obligations of government agencies
4.5 Developers
4.6 The flood-prone community
4.7 Responsibility matrix

Chapter 5: Legislation, administration and liability

5.1 State and Territory legislative requirements
5.2 Floodplain management policy
5.3 Administrative requirements
5.4 Funding
5.5 Legal liability

Appendices

References

Further Reading

Glossary