At the September Council Meeting last night (16/09) Councillors noted a report on the Carisbrook Independent Levee Review.
The Independent Review – completed by independent engineer Fred Spain of NSW Public Works - identified that there are a number of actions that can be taken so that the Carisbrook community can be confident in the levee.
To address these actions, Council officers have developed the Draft Carisbrook Independent Levee Review Implementation Plan.
It was also noted at the Council Meeting that Entura, the specialists who designed the levee, were not consulted with as part of the Review.
Council supported the recommendation that Council officers instruct the Independent Reviewer to interview Entura and make any necessary updates to the report.
Other recommendations included seeking formal feedback on the report from key stakeholders and technical experts including the North Central Catchment Management Authority, Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, Entura and Water Technology.
Central Goldfields Shire General Manager Infrastructure, Assets and Planning Amber Ricks said the Draft Carisbrook Independent Levee Review Implementation Plan demonstrates that Council has heard the community and is taking action.
"Thank you to the members of the Carisbrook Levee Community Reference Group for their commitment and contribution during the Review process.
"We remain committed to working with the community and doing everything we can so that the Carisbrook community can be confident in the levee.
"The Draft implementation Plan provides a detailed list of what Council will do to action the findings across three focus areas – Modelling/further Technical Investigations; Infrastructure Works; and Levee Maintenance/Management and Flood Mitigation.
"It also includes the likely timing for these actions to take place – either short (within three months), medium (within six months) and longer term (more than six months).
"We plan to reform a reference group to oversee the delivery of the Implementation Plan and to oversee the updated Flood Management Plan and Flood Study. The reference group will be formed via a public EOI process and will be open to anyone from the local community to be involved. As suggested by the review reference group members, we will also seek membership through representatives of other groups in Carisbrook who have an interest in the levee to ensure consistent communications and to maximise information sharing"
Many of the immediate and ongoing actions in the implementation plan are in the current pipeline of investigation and additional maintenance works.
The updated modelling and further technical investigations will be supported through funding provided by the Victorian Government and managed by the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
Some of the actions in the implementation plan will require additional funding, which officers will investigate funding options for either through external grant opportunities or the 2025/2026 annual budget process.
To access a copy of the Draft Carisbrook Independent Levee Review Implementation Plan visit www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/carisbrooklevee
