Check

Flood overlay meaning: is my lot in one?

The answer is whether a published flood map puts a flood overlay over the lot, as the state or territory maps it. It is not a flood level or a risk score, and where none is found, none is mapped there: that is not to say the land cannot flood.

What does a flood overlay mean?

A flood overlay is an area on a planning map where the council or the state expects flooding to be a consideration for building. It does not mean the lot has flooded or will flood. It means extra rules can apply to what you build there, and the council can ask more questions before it says yes.

What does it change?

It can bring a planning approval on top of the building approval, and it can set how high a floor has to sit, how a structure is anchored, and whether a structure can block the way water runs across the lot. Sheds, carports and patios are often treated more lightly than a house, but that varies by council.

Does this tell me the flood level?

No. This check reads whether the overlay is mapped over the lot. The flood level for a lot comes from the council, often through a flood search or a property report, and a certifier will ask for it where the overlay applies.