Campaspe Shire Council and Murray River Council are inviting their communities to have their say on the draft Echuca Moama Flood Study Report, on public exhibition from Monday, 30 October until Monday, 27 November.
The report is the first part of the Echuca Moama Torrumbarry Flood Study and Risk Management Plan Project. Commenced in 2018, the project is a partnership between the two councils, Victorian North Central Catchment Management Authority, Department of Environment Energy and Climate Action, and NSW Department of Planning and Environment.
The purpose of the report is to define the existing nature and extent of flood behaviour in and around the Echuca-Moama area. Flood modelling for the Torrumbarry part of the study, primarily to assess the performance of the levee system, will start upon finalisation of the upstream Echuca-Moama area.
Campaspe Mayor Cr Rob Amos said the draft study report documents the current flood situation in terms of flood extents, depths and associated hazards for a standardised set of flood events.
"Using state-of-the-art computer modelling, the study is now able to reproduce maps of the 2022, 1993, 2011 and 2016 flood events to more accurately show water flows across the flood plain," Cr Amos said.
"The model has also produced mapping associated with a range of standard flood events, ranging from events with a 5% chance of being exceeded in any one year, through to those with a 0.2% chance of being exceeded in any one year.
"This will help us better understand the flood behaviour of the Murray, Campaspe and Goulburn River systems and the various impacts on our towns based on different scenarios."
Murray River Council Mayor Cr Frank Crawley said the project partners are particularly interested in any hard evidence of previous flood events.
"In addition to written comments on the draft study report, items such as photographs of flooding and identifiable flood marks would be of great value in backing up people's first-hand experiences," Cr Crawley said.
"The final report will be an important guide to both councils in ensuring safe and sustainable development across the two towns. So, the more contributions we have from the community, the more comprehensive a picture we can create of how different flood events have impacted local properties."
Four ways to have your say:
1. View the draft report and associated mapping, and have your say online by clicking here.
2. Attend a drop-in session to see a presentation and speak to a member of the project team:
Thursday, 9 November from 10am – 12 noon and 2pm – 4pm, Murray River Council Offices, Perricoota Road, Moama
Thursday 9 November from 5.30pm – 7pm, Campaspe Shire Offices, Corner of Hare and Heygarth Streets, Echuca
3. Lodge a submission via mail, addressed to:
The Flood Study Project Manager
Campaspe Shire Council
PO Box 35, Echuca 3564
4. Speak directly with Project Manager John McCartney by calling 1300 666 535 or 0418 170 037.
A summary of all community feedback, with personal details removed, will be incorporated into the final report, expected to be completed and considered for adoption by both councils in early 2024.
The Risk Management Plan part of the project will also start in 2024. It will include investigation of flood mitigation options, flood warning systems and information to help manage floods in the future.
