Stormwater and drainage

Understanding who looks after which parts of the drainage network can help issues be addressed more quickly. 

Council is generally responsible for: 

• Drains, pits, pipes and culverts located on public roads and Council‑controlled land 

• Table drains and roadside drainage 

• Stormwater infrastructure that services multiple properties or public assets 

• Overland flow paths designed to manage excess stormwater 

Property owners are generally responsible for: 

• Roof, yard and surface drainage within their property boundaries 

• Private pipes connecting to Council’s drainage system 

• Driveway culverts located entirely on private land 

• Keeping private drainage clear and functional 

If you’re unsure where responsibility lies, Council staff can help clarify this.

Council’s stormwater system includes: 

Blocked drains are a common cause of localised flooding, particularly after heavy rainfall. 

Council prioritises clearing blockages on public drainage infrastructure where safe to do so. Leaves, debris, sediment and dumped materials can quickly reduce system capacity. 

Residents can help by: 

• Avoiding placing grass clippings or rubbish into drains 

• Keeping easements clear 

• Reporting blockages early 

Overland flow occurs when rainfall exceeds the capacity of underground drainage systems and water moves across the ground surface. 

These flow paths are a planned and important part of the drainage network and should not be filled, obstructed or altered. Changing overland flow paths can increase flood risk to neighbouring properties. 

Council regularly inspects and maintains public drainage assets, including: 

Council continues to plan and deliver drainage and flood mitigation projects to reduce flood impacts where possible. This can include: 

• Drainage upgrades 

• Improved flow paths 

• Detention and storage capacity 

• Targeted works in known flood‑affected areas 

Projects are prioritised using technical assessments, community feedback and available funding. 

Drainage easements and natural watercourses allow stormwater to move safely through the landscape. 

These areas must remain clear and accessible. Structures, fill or landscaping placed within easements can restrict flow and increase flood risk. 

If your property contains an easement or watercourse, it’s important to understand how it functions before making changes. 

Following the significant flood event in 2025, key industry stakeholders and government partners came together to form the Hinchinbrook Drainage Advisory Group.

The group’s focus is on improving drainage systems across the Shire and reducing the risk of future flooding through a coordinated, collaborative approach. 

The advisory group is stakeholder‑driven, with Hinchinbrook Shire Council playing a dual role as both an active participant and a facilitator.

Council’s role is to bring the right organisations together, support productive discussion and help turn shared knowledge into practical outcomes. 

The group is chaired by Councillor Andrew Carr and is working collaboratively to keep water moving, reduce flood impacts and maintain healthy waterways throughout the Shire.

A key objective is to address long‑standing drainage challenges, including areas where overgrowth and limited access have slowed water flow and increased flood risk. 

Members represent a broad cross‑section of local and state organisations, including Council, Queensland Government departments, Queensland Rail, Wilmar Sugar, Canegrowers Herbert River, Landcare groups, Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR), Lower Herbert Water Management Authority, Herbert River Improvement Trust and James Cook University. This shared expertise helps ensure solutions are balanced, evidence‑based and locally appropriate. 

The group’s initial focus is on four priority trial sites in mangrove interface areas: the Mandam SIP Drainage Scheme, Swampy Creek, Alligator Ponds and Rifle Range Creek.

These sites represent different drainage types and land ownership arrangements and will help inform a framework that can be applied across the broader Shire. 

Work is underway with State Government agencies to secure the necessary approvals and funding to undertake maintenance activities, including clearing overgrown drains and restoring access tracks. With strong collaboration now in place, the aim is to commence works in early 2026. 

Through this shared approach, the long‑term goals are cleaner and healthier drainage systems, reduced flood risk, and a clear, consistent process for managing future drainage projects across the Hinchinbrook region.