The initial results of the 2022 Victoria flood study are out, highlighting major issues in Greater Shepparton, Echuca and Seymour.
The report introduces the inquiry by acknowledging that on February 22, 2023, the Legislative Council agreed to the following motion:
“That this House requires the Environment and Planning Committee to inquire into, consider and report, by 30 June 2024, on the state’s preparedness for and response to Victoria’s major flooding event of October 2022,” the report said.
There were six major findings of the report:
- Some flood-affected individuals, families and businesses found the process of accessing funding more complicated and distressing, which left them without any immediate relief.
- There was lots of funding available; however, not all of it was targeted towards what was actually needed.
- In Northern Victoria, the broader housing crisis created additional strain; however, that is beyond the emergency response’s job.
- In Northern Victoria, the prolonged submersion of land and infrastructure resulted in extensive damage and erosion. The damage of the floods has been widespread, including the tragic loss of life, displacement of residents and damage to thousands of homes and businesses.
- Communities need comprehensive community support that actually prepares them for emergency situations.
- Insurance needs to be quicker to pay individuals, families and businesses. Not doing so causes continued damage and hardship.
Greater Shepparton
The report discussed the flood and its impact, saying that “flooding events in Greater Shepparton can differ depending on which river is flooding or if both are flooding at the same time”.
Some stakeholders argued that releasing water from Lake Eildon caused downstream flooding.
In its submission, the Victorian Government noted that the Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad was the busiest volunteer unit during the October 2022 flood event.
The Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad:
- Received 980 requests for assistance, with 41 per cent of requests made on October 16 while 550 related directly to flood impacts.
- Conducted over 180 rescues and received 287 requests for assistance with potential for floodwaters to enter premises.
- Of the requests for assistance to the Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad, 78.6 per cent came from the Shepparton area specifically.
The final report will provide a detailed analysis of how emergency services responded to the October 2022 flood event.
Inquiry submission — Greater Shepparton
This time last year, 12 months yesterday to the day, we lost our house and our land.
On that particular day when Goulburn-Murray Water was supposed to lift the bars, due to lack of management, I feel, and no common courtesy obviously for us downstream, the bars were not pulled at an adequate time, and all the water that built up in the loch then blew out the majority of levees, which then led to me and my neighbours losing our homes and our farms.
For us it has just been absolute turmoil. I probably sound a bit exhausted — it has been a long 12 months. It is taking its toll.
— Naomi Clark, public hearing, Melbourne, October 18, 2023, transcript of evidence, p.12
Echuca
“Echuca has a long history of flooding, with floods in 1870 and 1993 considered the worst on record, with heights of 96.2m and 94.77m respectively,” the report said.
Unlike other flood-affected areas, because the Murray River did not peak until nearly two weeks after the flooding began, there was time to consider flood mitigation measures.
A levee was constructed within 48 hours along the eastern side of the town that faces the Murray.
The levee effectively protected much of the town from the floodwaters. However, about 190 properties on the other side of the levee were inundated.
Flood mitigation measures, including the temporary levee in Echuca, will be discussed further in the final report.
Inquiry submission — Echuca
Authorities advised that the water was likely to be higher than originally anticipated and that to protect the town, a levee would be built, essentially cutting off around 60 or more houses. Unfortunately, we were one of those houses.
Our family and friends helped us remove as much of our belongings as we could.
...
That night [October 26] at around midnight I heard pumps start up from across the other side of the levy and I went out to take a look. What I saw absolutely disgusted me.
The town’s sewer system had overflowed into the storm water and was flooding the streets on the “right” side of the levy. They were pumping the excess water over the levee to the “wrong” side.
– Glenn Carrington, submission 527, pp.1–2
Rochester
“Every dwelling in the town was affected in some way, and sadly one person was found deceased in their home,” the report said.
The Victorian Government submission noted that on October 14, 2022 Rochester was “inundated with flood peaks higher than those recorded in 2011”.
In its submission, Campaspe Shire Council described the extent of damage and destruction that occurred in Rochester, stating it was “hardest hit, with over 800 homes either damaged or uninhabitable”.
At the time, it noted that over 70 per cent of Rochester residents were “still not back in their home some seven months post the event”.
The VICSES Rochester Unit received over 350 requests for assistance.
They managed to conduct rescues despite their facility and the CFA station being affected by flooding.
The October 2022 flood claimed its first victim in Rochester, a 71-year-old man found dead in his backyard.
A second flood-related death was recorded in Nathalia on October 19, 2022.
Inquiry submission — Rochester
When you realise that there is nothing you can do to stop the water coming in, the impact is devastating.
...
One of our big issues will be getting insurance for flooding in the future.
Will there be an embargo on our town for flood cover, and if not, will we be able to afford it, if we can even get cover?
What, if anything, will our governments do to ensure that we are not disadvantaged by this event, regarding insurance cover?
– Paul Poort, public hearing, Rochester, August 23, 2023, transcript of evidence, p.71.
Seymour
“The township of Seymour was the first major town to experience flooding in October 2022, when rainfall caused a rapid rise in the Goulburn River,” the report said.
The Mitchell Shire Council’s submission noted the widespread damage in Seymour, with over 250 properties experiencing over-floor flooding.
More than 254 homes and businesses were flooded above floor level.
Fifty roads closed during the event and the cost of the road repairs alone was more than $3 million.
In its submission, the Victorian Government reported that the Seymour VICSES unit area received 274 requests for assistance, of which 150 were made on October 13.
Throughout the inquiry there were 880 submissions and 182 witnesses over 13 days of public hearings.
The final report will be tabled by June 30.
The full report and all submissions can be found at: parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/inquiries/floodinquiry/reports/