The Latrobe Flood Mitigation Project was initiated to protect the main township from a flood event following the 2016 floods, which caused significant damage to property and led to the loss of one life. Based on flood flows, the design is based on a 1 in 100 year flood event under a future climate scenario.

The town is on the banks of the Mersey River and at the confluence of Kings Creek. To mitigate future flood events the design is in two parts.

Kings Creek diversion - The diversion is a weir upstream of the main street and a 330m culvert structure that flows into the Mersey River beyond the new flood levee. Any localised surface water is pumped from Kings Creek into the Mersey River.

Flood levee - The Latrobe township is protected with a 1.8km flood levee constructed between the Mersey River flats and the main township. Part of the flood levee incorporates an existing road to reduce the impact on private property.