Loch Sport Flood Overlay Group
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Soap Box
Loch Sport residents and landowners describe what the revised flood overlay means for their homes, families and futures.
We received our council vacant land rates notice (now with increased FO on the block; being elevated to the rear it is not fully engulfed in FO). Previous year's council value was 90k; this year it has dropped dramatically to a measly 10k. We are devastated.
Christopher Court, Loch Sport – 16 August 2025
What is happening with my property value due to the flood overlay? I want more information please! This home is all I have to pass down to my children at this point in time and I feel I am losing it all.
Reeves Street, Loch Sport VIC 3851
I have lived in Loch Sport for 45 years. Over this time, I have had the opportunity to buy property adjacent to mine. My plan was to leave this in my will for my children. This revised flood overlay prevents my children from building in the future.
Robin Street
Have owned land for 25 years this year with the plan of retiring in 10 years but building sooner if I can. I have been going to Loch Sport since 1985. This has significantly impacted my future plans.
Marina Drive
My mother gifted me land in Loch Sport. This was for investment towards my super. I have no idea of my future prospects.
Davies Street
I am not directly impacted by the flood overlay, but understand that this will impact the growth of Loch Sport in the long term.
Geofrey Avenue
I purchased land in 2022. I performed all due diligence: fire risk, flood overlay, survey report and conveyancing. After receiving the WGCMA letter in Aug 24, I called the WGCMA, they will not approve the build. I called the WSC, they will approve plans, however a high risk of rejection because the WGCMA will not approve. I have a $130,000 loan and the chance of the bank hearing of the land having a zero value, they could call in the loan.
Wallaby Street
My property isn't in the flood zone however I stand with those who are. I first came to Loch Sport in the '70s when it was a single track to town and no electricity. Have seen services and utilities grow as population grew. These flood overlays are unrealistic and it will impact us all indirectly through property values, insurance and risk of services moving away.
Central Avenue
Even after enquiries to relevant authorities I am still required to pay rates on land that cannot be developed. Pay vacant land tax and land tax levies. Pay Gippsland Water a quarterly fee for sewage connection that now cannot be connected. This flood overlay has made our land worthless, which is devastating as it was an investment for our future.
Wallaby Street
My husband and I bought a beautiful holiday home in Loch Sport, with the intention of this being a legacy to our children and grandchildren. We are extremely concerned established homes will lose property values. Also, we may not be able to buy insurance. Why are we paying very high rates and the council does very little to maintain Loch Sport? We would love to see the information they've based their new flood overlays on.
Wilhelm Street
I live on the corner of Davies Street and Camrons Road. Your flood overlay presents that water can come through the back of my property, which is impossible seeing my property is higher than next door.
Davies Street and Camrons Road
In 45 years as property owners in Loch Sport contributing to roads, electricity and sewerage, rates and now land tax we find our land is now worthless. Our estimated loss is half a million dollars. In 45 years not one drop of flood water has encroached on our land, even in the 2007 floods. We are puzzled as to why Lake Reeve is classed as major flood level and the land behind us is minor flood level and our land is deemed major flood level.
Loch Sport resident
Open letter
I am writing as a concerned resident of Loch Sport who, like many others, is deeply alarmed by the recent implementation of the updated flood overlay affecting our town.
While I understand the intent behind flood mapping and climate preparedness, the sudden and sweeping application of these planning restrictions has cast serious doubt over the future of Loch Sport – not just in terms of development, but in the lives and livelihoods of the people who live here.
This isn't just a planning issue. It's a people issue.
Entire families are now living with the uncertainty of whether their homes have retained value. Vacant blocks that were once part of people's retirement plans or future family builds are now potentially worthless. Young couples who hoped to build and settle in Loch Sport are reconsidering. Investors are pulling out. Trades and service-based workers are seeing work dry up. The social and emotional toll on our community is already visible.
Many residents feel completely shut out of the process – told what is happening rather than consulted. There's a growing sense of powerlessness, of being written off as a town that doesn't deserve a future.
Loch Sport is a proud, resilient community. We're not asking for reckless development – we're asking for a fair go. For transparency. For a planning process that involves real people, not just projected sea levels. For decisions that consider both environmental risks and the social, economic and emotional reality of the community you're regulating.
We need:
Should you wish to express your thoughts on how the WGCMA's decision will impact you personally or Loch Sport, kindly send your communication to info@gippslandfloodoverlay.com.au.
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