Gannawarra Urban Stormwater Management Plan 2026-2036 adopted
Published on 24 August 2026
The management of Gannawarra Shire Council’s urban stormwater network will be guided by a new key strategic document.
Adopted by Council at its August 2026 meeting, the Gannawarra Urban Stormwater Management Plan 2026-2036 provides a municipality-wide framework for identifying stormwater risks and prioritising actions to minimise risks to human health and the environment, so far as reasonably practicable.
Council will use the plan to guide the planning, prioritisation, delivery and review of urban stormwater networks at Cohuna, Kerang, Koondrook, Leitchville, Murrabit and Quambatook over the next 10 years, while remaining adaptable to changing risks, funding availability, climate conditions and growth pressures.
The plan features 17 municipality-wide actions that can be undertaken to improve urban stormwater maintenance across the Gannawarra, including the development of a proactive stormwater maintenance schedule for each township, and progressing a staged program to improve resilience of critical stormwater pump systems across the municipality, including remote monitoring, enhanced maintenance and contingency measures for power outages and pump failures.
Various actions are also listed for Cohuna, Kerang, Koondrook, Leitchville, Murrabit and Quambatook, which feature local solutions to stormwater management.
“Providing a fully functioning urban stormwater network, especially during times of major rainfall, is a key issue that residents continuously raise with Councillors, senior Council staff and I,” Mayor Garner Smith said.
“The adoption of the Gannawarra Urban Stormwater Management Plan will play an important role in alleviating our residents’ concerns by identifying, prioritising and addressing stormwater risks through practical, achievable actions that improve system performance and long-term resilience.”
Council sought feedback from residents and other stakeholders during April 2026 and May 2026 regarding the document, with five submissions received. The majority of these submissions related to localised flooding and drainage performance issues, which are already reflected in the township risk assessments and proposed actions; however, several amendments were made to strengthen recognition of cultural heritage, Traditional Owner engagement and cultural values.
“Council thanks all residents who took the time to provide feedback, and we look forward to working with our communities to achieve the actions listed in the plan,” Mayor Smith said.
To view the Gannawarra Urban Stormwater Management Plan 2026-2036, click on the Strategic Documents heading at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/documents