Long road to recovery after floods for Greater Shepparton

By Anna McGuinness

Dec 12, 2022

Flood-damaged: It could take months for Princess Park’s off-leash dog park to be available after the floods. Photo: Megan Fisher. Photo by Megan Fisher

Some Shepparton facilities are potentially still “months away” from opening after the October floods, as Greater Shepparton City Council faces a massive repair job.

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According to council director of infrastructure Gary Randhawa, almost 40 per cent of the municipality’s roads were flood-damaged, as well as 68 council-owned buildings, 11 bridges and culverts, and 23 playgrounds.

He said there was still a lot of work to do, and asked the community to remain patient.

“Some facilities such as sports grounds and some parks such as Princess Park’s off-leash dog park may be months away from being available,” he said.

“Council is working on alternatives with the sporting clubs impacted to ensure they can continue their planned activities.”

Mr Randhawa said the total cost of repairs was still unknown, with assessments of flood-impacted assets ongoing.

“There is still a lot to do in returning our region to what it looked like before,” he said.

Water mark: Tom Collins Dve was submerged during the floods, cutting off access to Aquamoves, which was flood-damaged. Photo: Megan Fisher. Photo by Megan Fisher

Despite the work still ahead, facilities including Aquamoves and the Shepparton Sports Stadium have reopened since the floods, with the indoor pool at Aquamoves back in action on December 12.

On the clean-up front, the municipality-wide collection of household flood waste and sandbags has finished.

However, residents in flood-affected areas can register their property for a kerbside collection if they still have flood-damaged items.

People who register will be contacted to confirm their rubbish is eligible for collection, and registrations can be made by contacting council on 5832 9700 or emailing floodrecovery@shepparton.vic.gov.au