The ACT Government has been quizzed over delays to online flood maps that would enable residents to check the risk level of their homes.

Opposition emergency services spokesman Brendan Smyth says the Government pledged in February that the maps would be published “soon”.

At a Legislative Assembly committee meeting last week he asked Emergency Services Minister Simon Corbell why they are still not available nine months later.

Mr Corbell says the map information is subject to “final checking by relevant technical officials to make sure of its accuracy”.

The first maps due to be published relate to areas below a one-in-100-year flood line.

Mr Corbell says the level of risk is “very modest” because almost all homes in the ACT have been built above that line.

But he is concerned homeowners might become complacent if they appear to be unaffected, because the maps cover riverine inundation only.

He warns other types of flooding, such as flash flooding, could still affect residents. Mr Corbell says he has asked for guidance on this to be published alongside the maps, which has contributed to the delay.

“Flash flooding is very difficult to predict – it’s not subject to the same types of modelling you are able do for riverine flooding.

“It is important that the messaging is clear and unambiguous to members of the public that flash flooding can occur anywhere given the right conditions and it’s still important to take that into account when you think about your insurance policies and you think about your preparedness for an emergency.”

The Insurance Council of Australia says it is encouraged that the ACT plans to make detailed flood maps available and “would like this data shared with the insurance industry, to ensure premiums can be priced on the most accurate information available”.