Flood clean-up under way as new info centre survives unscathed

By Contributed

Oct 10, 2023

Inundated: A clean-up effort is under way following flooding in Benalla on Thursday, October 5. Photo by Simon Ruppert

While there was no better way to test waterproofing at Benalla’s new visitor information centre development on the lake’s foreshore, last week’s flooding was not ideal, and a clean-up is now under way.

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Rural and urban roads and key facilities have reopened after they were closed as floodwater peaked early Thursday morning, October 5.

Benalla Rural City Mayor Bernie Hearn said council appreciated the community’s co-operation and understanding during recovery efforts.

Faced with its first flood since opening, the council’s recently redeveloped visitor information centre emerged unscathed.

Rising waters inundated the ground-level public toilets. However, its architects anticipated this and incorporated it into the building’s design. The toilets were operational by Friday morning.

The visitor information centre was open for business as usual on Thursday, with the cinema operating as scheduled.

The Benalla Art Gallery and Benalla Library were closed on Thursday but reopened for business on Friday.

The clean-up of the Lake Benalla boardwalk and the splash park and surrounds is ongoing.

A bridge on the southern end of the Lake Benalla walking track sustained damage and will remain closed until it can be repaired.

Council is also assessing damage to the indoor recreation centre.

“On behalf of the council, I acknowledge the efforts and thank everybody involved in the successful response to the flood event,” Cr Hearn said.

For further updates, residents can call 5760 2600 or visit the council’s social media pages.