As part of its 'Advocating for a Brighter Tomorrow' federal election advocacy campaign, Campaspe Shire Council is calling on the next Australian Government to commit to funding future flood study mitigation measures, to protect Campaspe communities from future significant flood events.
For the past several years, Council has been partnering with other government and statutory authorities, agencies, water experts and community stakeholders to develop the Echuca Moama Torrumbarry Flood Study and the Rochester Flood Study.
Campaspe Shire Council Mayor Cr Daniel Mackrell says Council and the community are looking for a commitment to continued funding for flood mitigation, from whichever party wins in the May federal election.
"While we are grateful for federal grants to date, we need certainty from the incoming Australian Government that the flood mitigation recommendations of our two flood studies will be funded in the future," Cr Mackrell said.
"Our roads, buildings and environmental infrastructure have been either severely impacted or completely demolished by successive flood events over the past several decades.
"Our goal is to future-proof community assets so they can withstand future natural disasters as far as possible.
"In a financially-constrained environment, Council has limited capacity to future-proof community infrastructure," he said.
"That's why it's vital we have continued federal funding support for flood mitigation measures. Not only to protect our communities and safeguard access to essential services and assets during floods, but also to avoid the devastating toll on our communities from the social, economic and environmental upheaval caused by these disaster events."
