The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) initiated its Flood Response Action Plan on Saturday with the appointment of an internal incident controller to liaise with the Victorian State Emergency Service (VicSES).   

The North Central CMA is responsible for floodplain planning in the region and provides important technical information on critical flood level forecasts for rivers and waterways in North Central Victoria to the State Emergency Service (VicSES).

Chief Executive, Damian Wells, said the North Central CMA has been closely monitoring flood levels to provide support to VicSES on the likely trends, peaks and extent of the flooding. This information has helped VicSES to prioritise resources and direct them to areas that will be at the most risk ahead of flood peaks so sandbagging and other local mitigation measures can be taken.

Another key role is capturing flood height information to improve future town planning and incident response. 

“We have staff and contractors undertaking flood level pegging and we currently have planes capturing images from the major flood areas to improve this intelligence and to verify previous flood modeling,” said Mr Wells.

Mr Wells concluded that the highest priority for everyone in times of flood should be safety.  He advises residents to keep up-to-date with the flood response information in their local area by listening to the local ABC radio station and referring to the Bureau of Meteorology for updates. In the case of specific flood advice residents should call the SES on 132 500 and in extreme emergencies dial 000.

The North Central CMA will carry out waterway damage assessments when it is safe to do so, in order to develop and implement restoration works in partnership with state government.

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