Flood Risk Advisory · Victoria, Australia

Independent advice
on flood risk —
before it costs you.

I review, challenge, and guide — I don't build the model. Clear, practical flood and stormwater advice for developers, engineers, and councils across Victoria.

21
Years Experience
CPEng
Chartered Engineer
VIC
Based in Bendigo
Both
Sides of the Table

Who I work with

Developers & Property OwnersPre-purchase checks, DA support, flood risk strategy
Engineering ConsultanciesIndependent peer review, pre-submission checks
Councils & CMAsTechnical second opinions, submission assessments
Planners & ConveyancersQuick desktop flood risk checks before purchase or planning

Expert eyes on your flood risk — without the modelling bill.

With 21 years across consulting, council, and catchment management authority roles, I've sat on both sides of the table. I've assessed submissions as a council engineer and built the models as a consultant. I know exactly what will get approved, what won't, and why.

I don't compete with modelling consultancies. I complement them — providing the independent technical voice that catches problems early, validates work before it goes to council, and gives clients the confidence to make better decisions.

Independent Review

No conflict of interest. I review the work, not sell you more of it.

Plain-English Advice

Complex reports turned into clear risks, actions and decisions.

Second Opinions

Unsure about a flood report? I validate or challenge it — fast.

Early-Stage Strategy

Before you spend $50k on modelling, make sure you need it.

Practical advice at every stage of your project.

From a quick desktop check before a land purchase, to a full strategic review of a complex flood study. Fixed-fee, fast turnaround, no surprises.

01

Pre-Purchase & Pre-DA Flood Check

Desktop flood risk review before you buy land or lodge a DA. Is it flood-affected? Will a study be required? What are the risks? Answered fast.

02

Rapid Risk Check

Early-stage review or second opinion on an existing flood or stormwater study. I identify what's wrong, what's missing, and what risk you're carrying.

03

Independent Model Review

Full audit against Melbourne Water, council, and Australian standards. TUFLOW, RORB and HECRAS experience means real technical authority.

04

Flood Risk Strategy

High-level advisory for complex or high-stakes projects. I assess the approach, identify approval risks, and give you a clear path forward — before you commit to expensive modelling.

05

Pre-Submission Confidence Check

Final independent review before you lodge. I check everything is consistent, compliant, and ready — so you catch issues before the council does.

The independent voice your project needs.

⚖️

Council-Side Experience

I've assessed submissions from inside council and CMAs — I know exactly what assessors look for, what raises flags, and what gets approved.

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Full Technical Authority

I've built TUFLOW, RORB and HECRAS models myself. When I review your study, I know every assumption behind it.

Approval-Focused

Every recommendation is practical and tied to Melbourne Water, Victorian, and Australian standards. Just advice you can act on.

Fast Turnaround

Days, not weeks. You're not waiting on a large consultancy's resourcing queue. Your project timeline matters.

Maria McCrann

Chartered Civil Engineer

  • CPEng — Chartered Professional Engineer
  • RPEV — Registered Professional Engineer Victoria
  • RPEQ — Registered Professional Engineer Queensland
  • NER — National Engineering Register
  • MEng — Master of Engineering
  • MIEAust — Engineers Australia Member

Career background

Rain ConsultingSpiireBecaAureconHatchCity of Greater BendigoNorth Central CMALa Trobe University

"I review, challenge, and guide — I don't build the model."

I'm a Bendigo-based Chartered Civil Engineer with over 21 years of experience in water resources engineering, specialising in flood risk assessment, stormwater management, and hydraulic modelling.

My career has taken me across both sides of the technical and regulatory divide. I've worked as a Stormwater Engineer at the City of Greater Bendigo, and as a Waterways and Floodplain Officer at North Central CMA — and spent years in consulting at Aurecon, Hatch, Spiire, and Beca.

That combination — council, CMA, and consulting — is rare. It means I understand not just what a good flood model looks like technically, but what it takes to get one approved in Victoria.

I established this practice to give developers, councils, and engineers access to fast, independent, and genuinely expert flood risk advice — without the overhead of a large consultancy.

Let's talk about your project.

Whether you have a specific project in mind or just want to know if I can help, get in touch. I respond within one business day.

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Bendigo, Victoria — serving all of Victoria

Send an Enquiry

I'll respond within one business day. No obligation, no sales pitch.