The final report, developed over 18 months of community consultation and public hearings, identifies areas for improvement in Victoria’s approach to disaster management. Of the 608 submissions in northern Victoria, 25 were from Gannawarra residents.
The final report features 90 findings, resulting in 73 recommendations the committee is asking the Victorian Government to implement.
“Gannawarra Shire Council is pleased to have advocated for our residents’ needs during this inquiry, despite the committee not holding any gatherings west of Echuca or the final report featuring any recommendations specifically to the Gannawarra Shire,” chief executive Geoff Rollinson said.
“Gannawarra was one of 19 councils to develop a submission for the inquiry, developed following input from residents impacted by the 2022 floods, Gannawarra Community Recovery Committee members, flood wardens and observers and council staff.
“The development of this document played an important role in the Gannawarra’s recovery process by enabling residents the opportunity to tell their story and, more importantly, put forward solutions to mitigate future flood risk.”
Twenty of the final report’s recommendations addressed the 37 recommendations council identified in its submission, including:
- Regular updating of flood studies, which are managed and resourced by regional catchment management authorities and developed with guidance from local councils.
- The review of the Victorian Floodplain Management Strategy to examine issues around rural levee management and consideration of the adequacy of taxpayer support for maintaining these systems.
- The funding of a pilot ring levee development program in northern Victoria to protect homes in flood-prone areas.
- Ensuring culvert infrastructure in high-risk flood areas is fit for purpose.
- Conducting an audit of transport links in and out of disaster-prone areas.
- Calling on the Victorian Government to work with the Federal Government to ensure the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements are not unduly burdensome, and that bills relating to natural disaster management are paid on time.
- The adaptation of policies and funding models to prioritise betterment initiatives.
- Identifying and filling critical gaps in Victoria’s river height gauge network.
- Improvements to the accuracy, timeliness and relevance of the VicEmergency notification service during an emergency.
- The need for the state and federal governments to address digital connectivity limitations, focusing on rural and remote areas.
- Establishing long-term community awareness initiatives to ensure the public understand flood risk and actions.
- Increasing funding for the training of volunteers to boost the capacity of State Emergency Service units.
- Improvements to the management and distribution of sandbags during a flood event.
- The establishment of statewide operating guidelines for Emergency Relief Centres.
“The Gannawarra was better prepared for the 2022 floods thanks to learnings implemented following the 2011 floods, and we call on the Victorian Government to implement all of the inquiry’s recommendations to ensure we are prepared for the next flood event,” Mr Rollinson said.
Lower Loddon flood observer Colin Myers also welcomed the release of the report.
“We are leading the way in most of what is recommended,” he said.
“What we need is a central point where people can get all the information available for the general public so we, as flood observers, can inform the community and provide the correct information.”
On Thursday, August 8, Gannawarra Shire Council met with VICSES chief executive Greg Leach to discuss the 2022 flood response and recovery issues.
Council and the VICSES leadership team discussed the flood inquiry report, including recommendations about additional support provisions for VICSES.
“Council’s submission to the 2022 flood event inquiry included two recommendations specifically relating to resourcing the VICSES so it can sufficiently fulfil its planning and control agency role when responding to major flood events, and this is something we would like the Victorian Government to enact,” Mr Rollinson.
“Council thanks Greg and VICSES for providing council the opportunity to meet, and we look forward to building on our proactive relationship.”
For more information about Gannawarra’s recovery from the 2022 floods and services available, visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/floods
