The findings, conducted by North East Catchment Management Authority and dated August 2017, stated the levees located on Parfitt Road and Wilsons Road "do not provide adequate protection" for homes.

Wangaratta Council in April last year voted to accept the findings and asked the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to amend its planning scheme and include the new data on flooding.

Council's officers at the time stated that if this was refused by DELWP, "there would be some significant costs to council to undertake the amendment work".

Now 17 months on, a report to be presented to councillors on Tuesday night has stated DELWP refused to make the planning scheme amendment on behalf of the council, so staff in Wangaratta will have to do it themselves.

While work on flood protection was being delayed at a bureaucratic level, another major flood described as a one in 2000-year event hit the North East in December.

In this case the Wangaratta levees were not required, with most of the $4 million in flash flooding damage occurring in Tarrawingee.

The last flood defined as a one in 100-year event in Wangaratta occurred in 1993.

The Wangaratta Flood Investigation provided the council with more accurate data than it could previously access, giving it a basis to apply for funding to fix the levee banks to ensure they would provide enough protection during the most serious floods.

"The study used historical data, recent events and improved technology to enhance the accuracy of current flood modelling for Wangaratta and has resulted in a far higher level of detail that is now available to inform decision makers, the public and emergency services," the report stated.

Tuesday night's meeting will be held at the Wangaratta Council chambers from 6pm.