Forty-five Charlton residents attended a community information session on Tuesday 23 August to contribute their local knowledge of flooding and learn about the Flood and Drainage Management Plan being prepared for their town.

Hosted by the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) in partnership with the Buloke Shire Council the meeting was told that the plan will ultimately develop a case for approved funding for capital works to help protect the town from future flooding.

The session provided an opportunity for the community to meet the planning steering committee and the newly appointed consultants, BMT WBM, who will prepare the plan. It also enabled open discussion about the impacts of the most recent flood events and the priority issues needing attention in a potentially wet spring.

North Central CMA Floodplain Manager, Ms Camille White, who is managing the plan, thanked the Victorian Government for funding its preparation, noting that the local member and Minister for Water, Peter Walsh MLA, has expressed great interest in the plan. Ms White said she was pleased with the level of community participation.  

“It is important that the flood management plan prepared by BMT WBM involves strong input from the community. The local community has extensive knowledge of flood behaviour in the town and it is clear that residents are willing to share this information with the consultants. Tuesday night’s session was very helpful in determining community expectations,” said Ms White.

Participants expressed support for a plan that would ensure Charlton is protected from the level of flooding experienced in September 2010. One resident commented that it was likely Charlton would experience more of this type of flood event. 

Participants also raised other issues including improving flood warnings, as well as the impacts of the railway line, roads and levees in directing flood water into the town.

The consultants BMT WBM anticipate holding another public meeting in December where they will present the results of their flood modelling to the community. Plan options will be drafted by March 2012 with a final plan prepared for government consideration around June 2012.  

For further information please contact: 

Communications Officer, North Central CMA
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551
t: 03 5448 7124
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au