Communities along the Goulburn River and its tributaries remain stressed and fearful about a second flood major flood event as they continue to be ignored by the Labor Government.
Victoria’s major water sources are nearly at capacity and community members in nearby towns say they have been unable to get the attention of the Andrews Labor Government.
Lake Eildon and Goulburn Weir have both been approaching 100 per cent capacity with big inflows during recent weeks. The Nillahcootie Dam, near Lima South, has exceeded 100 per cent capacity with water streaming down the spillway in recent months.
Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said that communities near the water sources had raised their concerns about the water levels, particularly after many had suffered during the October 2022 floods.
“People in these towns are concerned every time that significant rain is forecast,” Ms Cleeland said.
“The Andrews government has been warned time and time again about the potential consequences of increased water levels but has failed to act.
“I have heard from several members of the community who have written to Ministers only to be told that they are “monitoring the situation”.
“The people in these communities unfortunately know firsthand what happens if nothing is done to address the rising water levels.”
With the Government’s Inquiry into the 2022 Flood Event in Victoria set to begin their public hearings next month, there are hopes that communities will have their concerns heard and acted upon.
Ms Cleeland wrote to the Minister for Water calling to immediately investigation the safety of downstream communities with current water levels in Eildon and the forecast rain events.
“There is a lot of passing the buck of responsibility by the Minister,” Ms Cleeland said.
“While Goulburn-Murray Water is the appointed storage manager for the Goulburn system, it is Minister who is ultimately responsible for those authorities, and she needs to take some interest and instigate the process to change the operating rules to ensure our communities are protected.”
