A Victorian government flood inquiry has flagged an "urgent need for enhanced national co-ordination and reform in disaster insurance practices".

The inquiry's final report features 73 recommendations and 90 findings.

It says the state should “advocate to the Commonwealth government that it take action to ensure residents and businesses in flood-affected areas can obtain and maintain necessary insurance”.

The report also says homeowners affected by the October 2022 catastrophe should be prioritised under a proposal to raise or retrofit at-risk residences in Victoria. It suggests the use of “ring levees” to protect homes and surrounding land in flood-prone areas such as northern Victoria.

The report calls for increased funding for the State Emergency Service and local search and rescue teams, and says delayed or inaccurate information contributed to confusion among communities during the floods.

It recommends improvements to early warning systems and flood governance arrangements for emergency services, including clarity around chains of command and communication protocols.

“For government, one of the most critical roles going forward is accurately and honestly informing communities about risk,” inquiry committee chair Ryan Batchelor said.

“New flood modelling is being undertaken across all Melbourne catchments, and flood studies across the state should be regularly undertaken.”

The probe was launched after the flood catastrophes of October 2022, when more than 10,000 insurance claims were lodged across the state, totalling $489 million.

The Maribyrnong, Campaspe and Goulburn rivers were among those to break their banks, and more than 90% of the town of Rochester was inundated.

The Victorian Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee’s work was separate to the federal government’s inquiry into the 2022 floods, which is expected to report by October 18.

Click here to read the state inquiry report.