In the days, weeks and months since the October 2022 floods I have continued to hear stories of selflessness, determination, and generosity from the local communities across northern Victoria.
The thousands of local heroes who came together to work tirelessly to assist those in need did an extraordinary job, under some of the toughest conditions imaginable.
From our SES and CFA volunteers, police and emergency services personnel, to our local council staff, charities, CMAs, peak bodies and local water authorities, there has been unwavering dedication to make and keep communities safe, and to begin the long road to recovery.
One year on, and recovery continues — communities continue to work towards healing and rebuilding.
Anniversaries are often incredibly difficult. They can trigger painful memories and challenges for many of us, and the recent rainfall events and current full storages mean this is again an anxious time for communities.
As this work goes on, we are also working hard to adapt to climate change and increasingly volatile conditions. This is particularly important in addressing the current and future challenges to water security as our populations continue to grow and as our climate becomes hotter and drier.
Once the technical assessments for operating arrangements at Lake Eppalock and Lake Eildon are complete we will work with local community groups, water corporations, local catchment management authorities and local councils to examine available options for management of the storages and mitigation of downstream flooding.
For Lake Eppalock, a final report is expected by the end of this year, which will provide valuable input into the Rochester Flood Management Plan being managed by Campaspe Shire Council and North Central CMA.
For Lake Eildon the technical assessment will be complete by March 2024.
Both assessments will be made public.
Additionally, the Victorian Government has invested more than $2.5 million into a strategic levee assessment project — focused on northern Victoria — which will identify levees that require ongoing formal management and maintenance, and any unmanaged levees which may need to be reinforced ahead of a flood.
We’ve also invested $10 million across local government and CMAs to complete or update about 32 flood studies in regional Victoria.
These studies will update local flood risk information and will be used to update local planning schemes so councils can identify suitable locations for new development and avoid high flood-risk areas. They are also used to discuss with the community different flood mitigation options.
The community said they wanted more direct access to this sort of information to help them plan for floods — that’s why we have increased access to FloodZoom, a tool used by analysts to access flood forecasts, flood mapping and real time river height gauges.
The Loch Garry reference committee also met for the final time on June 23 and endorsed a revised set of operating rules that are now being implemented.
The frequency and intensity of drought and flooding events will increase, that’s why across the Victorian Government our focus also remains on ensuring our emergency and information systems, infrastructure and communities are given what they need to be resilient, adequately resourced, and adaptable.
Recovery is a long journey and will take time.
As the work goes on we will stand with local communities all the way and continue to work hard to ensure we are prepared for the challenges of the future.
Harriet Shing is the Victorian Water Minister.
