Flood Risk: Understanding the impact of climate change on extreme weather events in Hobart

Flood Risk: Understanding the impact of climate change on extreme weather events in Hobart

Climate change is a global, national and a local issue which is expected to impact Hobart’s natural environment, economy and liveability. Hobart can also expect changes in the frequency and magnitude of extreme weather events such as flooding.

Hobart is located at the foot of kunanyi/Mt Wellington and this can mean that Hobart is susceptible to flash flooding. Flash floods are characterised by fast rising and fast receding water. Flood waters are often shallow but fast moving. When a high tide occurs at the same time as an extreme rain event, flooding can be even worse.

The major waterways of Hobart include Hobart, New Town and Sandy Bay Rivulets. These major waterways have water flowing in them permanently and have high natural amenity. Residents and visitors to Hobart may be unaware of the City’s minor waterways or natural drainage lines. Many of these have been piped, and many are dry for some or all the year. Some of the minor natural drainage lines may only have water flowing in them in extremely heavy rainfall events.

How can we build a robust model to assist with development of communications about the heightened risks of flooding?

How can we communicate and educate the community simply and effectively about the importance of food risk?

How can we develop a cooperative flood warning and alert system for Hobart?

Can a model of extreme weather events be developed to predict and illustrate the increasing regularity and intensity of flooding and other extreme events?

How can we develop a tool for effective flood risk planning, management and prevention?

Integrate City of Hobart data sets and other data sources into a tool to help drive sustainable flood management and prevention for the future.

Please note detailed data has been supplied for Hobart and New Town Rivulet only.

Additional Information:

Other Data:

sdi.tas-hires-weather.cloud.edu.au GeoServer rainfall
https://sdi.tas-hires-weather.cloud.edu.au/geoserver/web/wicket/bookmarkable/org.geoserver.web.demo.MapPreviewPage?8&filter=rainfall

Elvis - Elevation and Depth - Foundation Spatial Data
https://elevation.fsdf.org.au/

BOM
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/cdo/about/cdo-selecting-data.shtml
http://www.bom.gov.au/tas/flood/index.shtml?ref=hdr

CSIRO
https://data.csiro.au/collection/csiro:12861

ABS
https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/2033.0.55.0012016?OpenDocument
https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/2033.0.55.001~2016~Main%20Features~IRSD%20Interactive%20Map~15

Other relevant Documents:

City of Hobart: Stormwater and urban waterways
https://www.hobartcity.com.au/City-services/Stormwater-and-urban-waterways

City of Hobart: Understanding flood risk
https://www.hobartcity.com.au/City-services/Stormwater-and-urban-waterways/Understanding-flood-risk

City of Hobart Flood Fact Sheet for Residents
https://www.hobartcity.com.au/files/assets/public/city-services/stormwater-and-urban-waterways/flood-fact-sheet-for-residents.pdf

City of Hobart Flood Fact Sheet for Developers
https://www.hobartcity.com.au/files/assets/public/city-services/stormwater-and-urban-waterways/flood-fact-sheet-for-developers.pdf

City of Hobart Flooding Guide
https://www.hobartcity.com.au/files/assets/public/city-services/stormwater-and-urban-waterways/flooding-guide.pdf

Connected Hobart: Smart City Action Plan
https://www.hobartcity.com.au/files/assets/public/strategies-and-plans/hcc4578-smart-cities-action-plan-a3-single_110919.pdf

Image credit: City of Hobart 2022.