These are some ways you can help keep floodwater out of your property:

• Keep your gutters and downpipes clear so water can flow freely into the stormwater system.
• Make sure you don’t put anything along a waterway or stormwater drain that could get washed into the water. This can include grass clippings, other garden cuttings or chemicals. Remove any obstacles alongside a waterway that could cause blockages or divert stormwater, such as:
  • Stockpiled building materials
  • Car parts
  • Garden furniture
  • Toys
  • Gardening equipment
  • Play equipment
  • Big piles of mulch, rocks or soil
  • Shopping trolleys
  • Bins.
• Take care when planting trees. Certain species with aggressive root systems can cause stormwater pipes to become blocked or cracked.
• Talk to Council about your plans to build on your land, alter your driveway or footpath levels, fill low-lying areas of your yard or divert a watercourse. Unapproved work can increase flooding for both you and your neighbours.
• Large, paved areas will increase runoff, so you may need extra drainage.
• If you own a property in a flood-prone area, consider getting professional advice from your own engineer and getting it flood proofed. This can mean doing works such as coating the building in waterproof sealants or plastic sheeting or sealing doors and windows below the flood level to prevent or minimise damage from future floods.