Cleeland demands answers on fouryears of flood inquiry recommendations

14 August 2026

Cleeland demands answers on fouryears of flood inquiry recommendations

The Nationals for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland is demanding the Labor Governmentprovide a comprehensive implementation report on the 2022 Victorian FloodInquiry, as communities across the region once again face the threat offlooding.

Parts of the region remained underflood watch this week, bringing back memories for communities in Seymour,Nagambie, Murchison, Euroa and Benalla that were devastated by the October 2022floods.

“For these communities, 2022 isnot history,” Ms Cleeland said.

“They remember the rising water,the evacuations, the damage and the years of trying to rebuild.

“Nearly four years on, theydeserve to know exactly what this Government has done to make sure the samefailures are not repeated.”

Ms Cleeland called on the Ministerfor Emergency Services to publish a comprehensive implementation reportdetailing the current status of all 73 recommendations, including theresponsible agency and expected completion timeframe for every Flood Inquiry recommendationthat remains outstanding.

She said the Labor’s response tothe 73 recommendations, released in February 2025, was not enough todemonstrate that the lessons of the inquiry had actually been implemented.

“Only 16 recommendations weresupported in full. The rest were either supported in principle, supported inpart, or remained under review,” Ms Cleeland said.

“Regional Victorian’s want to knowwhether the lessons of one of Victoria’s most significant flood disasters haveactually been acted upon.”

Ms Cleeland raised the experienceof Seymour business owners Adam and Alex Griffiths, whose business Griff-Fitwas flooded in 2022 and who are still fighting to have their insurance claimresolved.

Water entered their building ataround 5pm on the day of the flood, while the region was not officiallydeclared under flood until about 9pm.

That distinction has becomecritical to their insurance dispute with Hollard Insurance, with their policycovering stormwater but excluding floodwater.

Five neighbouring businesses facedsimilar claim rejections, but had those decisions overturned after independenthydrological evidence established that stormwater arrived first.

Ms Cleeland said the Griffiths’experience demonstrated the ongoing personal and financial consequences ofdisasters long after the floodwaters recede.

“Adam told me he still has PTSDfrom the experience and that every time he hears about floods, he worries abouthis livelihood,” Ms Cleeland said.

“No business owner should be leftfeeling that they are on their own after a disaster.”

Ms Cleeland also acknowledgedSeymour community advocate TR Keller, who has provided hundreds of hours of probono assistance to businesses fighting insurance disputes and has continuedsupporting communities affected by the January 2026 bushfires.

“People like TR step up when theircommunities need them most,” Ms Cleeland said.

“That selfless community serviceis often what carries regional communities through disaster after disaster,particularly when government processes are too slow or too difficult tonavigate.”

Ms Cleeland said Labor must nowdemonstrate the recommendations from the Flood Inquiry were being implementedbefore Victoria faced its next major disaster.

“We have just seen the VictorianBushfires Inquiry tabled with another 80 recommendations,” Ms Cleeland said.

“We cannot allow thoserecommendations to sit on a shelf while regional communities wait for the nextdisaster.

“Communities know another majorflood, fire or other emergency will come. The question is whether Labor will beready when it does.

“Adam and Alex should not have tobe terrified every time it rains. Businesses should not have to rely onvolunteers to navigate the aftermath of disasters.

“The people of regional Victoriahave been heard through these inquiries and now they need to see action.

“I am asking the Minister toprovide a clear, transparent account of every outstanding Flood Inquiryrecommendation, who is responsible for delivering it and when it will becompleted.

“After four years, our communitiesdeserve nothing less.”