Goulburn-Murray Water is moving to replace flood-damaged levee banks around Loch Garry in a million-dollar operation, but one farmer is not happy with the source of the dirt.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
G-MW is proposing to shift dirt from a bank along drainage channel number 11, at Tallygaroopna, to the loch.
But grazier and cropper Frank Carmichael is worried the removal of the bank will make his neighbouring property more flood prone, and he will lose the one source of high ground his cattle have used in previous floods.
Mr Carmichael has put the argument to G-MW but the corporation said the dirt belonged to it, the soil type fitted its requirements and it would get moving soon to fix the Loch Garry levee banks.
Mr Carmichael has a 124-hectare property straddling the number 11 drain, in Holmes Rd, Tallygaroopna.
The Pine Lodge and Congupna creeks flow into the drain, which empties into Nine Mile Creek, and Mr Carmichael said the drain was unable to contain the water it had carried in every major flood over the past 25 years.
The banks have been a bulwark against the floodwaters spreading onto his property.
Farmer Frank Carmichael with the bank behind him on number 11 drain at Tallygaroopna.
The banks created by the construction of the drain have been used to shelter stock in times of flood.
Mr Carmichael acknowledges that G-MW may be entitled to remove the bank, but said there were plenty of other sites where they could find suitable soil.
Cattle using the levee bank for a refuge in a previous flood.
The first he heard of the plan was when he noticed G-MW staff walking along the bank.
His last conversation with G-MW last week resulted in a stand-off, with the staff suggesting Mr Carmichael’s solicitor talk to the authority’s solicitor.
The authority conducted soil tests to ascertain if the soil was suitable.
G-MW infrastructure delivery services general manager Warren Jose said G-MW had carried out a thorough search for the appropriate material that would not only meet the soil standards required but was close enough to the construction site.
“The sourcing of the material for the levee repair works is from G-MW-owned land and does not impact on adjacent landowners’ property,” Mr Jose said.
A key reason the site was chosen was its proximity to the works, meaning G-MW can also keep the costs of the repair work down while ensuring it meets the geotechnical specifications.
“Our project team have continued to keep local landowners informed of these works and have met regularly to provide updates and answer questions,” Mr Jose said.
Meanwhile, at Loch Garry, G-MW started site preparatory works for levee repair on Monday, May 22 and expects to complete the works by late June/early July pending weather conditions.
The levee blew out during the October 2022 floods when G-MW was unable to remove bars from the loch.
Loch Garry levees are in need of some repairs.
G-MW will truck in about 17,000 cubic metres of clay material, strip topsoil and loose material, establish a solid foundation under the levee breach areas and establish tracks to create access to the site
The end of Loch Garry Rd leading into the loch was closed to the public from Monday, May 22, with traffic management signage set up indicating changed traffic conditions for the duration of the works.
Landholders downstream of the loch, who pay an annual flood protection rate, are worried that they will have to make up the difference between the cost of repairs ($1.25 million) and the contribution from the Victorian Government ($750,000).
8°C