Emergency works to help floodwaters recede at Benjeroop and Murrabit West are showing signs of success.

Work began on Monday to reinstate levee banks and widen drainage areas to help move
floodwaters from the record-breaking January flood event which have continued to
inundate these communities.

North Central CMA CEO, Damian Wells said because of works to increase the drainage rate, water levels at the bottom of the flood affected area have fallen approximately 100mm which is reducing the total area of inundation.
“While we are a long way from being out of the woods, we are pleased with the results so far, especially being able to seal up the levee breach at Pyramid Creek,” Mr Wells said.

“It’s estimated that these works have stopped 800 to1000 megalitres per day of flow into the flood affected area.
“We will continue to do what we can that is safe and feasible to get a better result for this community. However, we cannot guarantee all efforts will be successful, especially if more rain is forecast for the Loddon River catchment.”

Emergency works began this week following engineering, safety and feasibility assessments on the weekend. Up until then the area had been very wet and inaccessible and the likelihood of any success from works was low.

Mr Wells said the works remain significantly challenging, “Excavators must work in floodwaters at every site and materials to reinstate levee banks can also be very hard to come by,” he said.

The North Central CMA is leading the response with the majority of the works being managed by Goulburn-Murray Water with logistic support from VICSES, Victoria Police,and assistance from DSE.

Mr Wells praised the efforts of G-MW who mobilised crews at very short notice to start on Monday and have been working very hard since.

He also said there had been a real community effort with a great deal of input, advice and suggestions.
“The ideas and suggestions from the locals have been very helpful in particular with mapping out access for excavators,” Mr Wells said.

The January floods were of an extraordinary magnitude and certainly the biggest on record for this area.
As well as this, the Loddon River floodplain is one of the most complex and widest floodplains in the state. Up to 40km wide, it then narrows causing a bottleneck effect for water to drain back into the river.

Mr Wells said the levees in the area were generally constructed to withstand a 1 in 30 year event and with such a large event, overtopping and breaching occurred in many places which then caused further erosion and breaching.
There will be a community meeting on Friday 25 February in Kerang where locals can get an update on progress, provide feedback and discuss next steps.


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