TWO years have passed since the October 2022 floods that ravaged much of the state, but issues associated with the event continue to persist for several regional communities.
The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, whose electorate was significantly impacted by the floods, said she still receives correspondence from residents dealing with the fallout from the devastating event.
Flood preparedness, mitigation measures, emergency services support, insurance concerns, road maintenance, and financial assistance were just some of the issues being raised with Ms Cleeland’s office in recent months.
“Locals from affected areas are still feeling the impact of the October 2022 floods,” Ms Cleeland said.
“This event had a profound impact on several of our communities, with farms, houses, businesses, and crucial support services all suffering major damage in towns like Seymour, Euroa, Nagambie and Murchison.
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“The road to recovery has been long, but it has been made significantly more difficult by the state government's lack of action when it comes to addressing persistent issues that emerged in the aftermath of the floods.
“I continue to be contacted about local roads being left in a state of disrepair since the floods, issues with properties being rebuilt below flood level standards, SES units still requesting effective financial support, and concerns over the lack of changes to flood barriers at local lakes - just to name a few of the issues raised.
“On top of this, I’ve had conversations with people that are still struggling with insurance challenges or rebuilding their business, farm, or home.”
A parliamentary inquiry into the flood event released a report earlier this year, revealing damning shortcomings in the government’s response and recovery efforts for flood impacted Victorians.
“Among many other issues, the report found that ineffective, hard to access, and delayed support was provided to those who suffered,” Ms Cleeland said.
“It also found that this government failed to ensure emergency warnings could effectively operate, and that our dedicated volunteers at the SES were not given enough support.
“It is now two years since the floods and it completely unacceptable that regional Victorians are still paying the price for these shortcomings.”
Ms Cleeland plans to address several flood mitigation measures with new councillors when the upcoming local government elections conclude.
“I will be writing to our region’s new councillors to encourage them to revisit flood mitigation in our communities,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Urgency is required when it comes to drainage maintenance, upgrading river gauges, and investing and maintaining levees in our vulnerable areas.”
