Saturday, March 30, 2024

Floods – The road to recovery

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In our immediate area, we are lucky: the floods have been and gone while others across the State and beyond are still living with the uncertainty and dangers of rising river levels. For our region, it’s on to the recovery stage. 

The Times visited the Baringhup Caravan Park last weekend to view the damage following a massive release of water from Cairn Curran reservoir. The end result was far worse than that of the 2010 and 2011 floods. The force of the water had torn cabins and caravans loose from their moorings and pushed them hundreds of metres away.  

The shop and the residence behind it – home of Park owner Robert Wilson – were inundated. The Park’s permanent residents lost their homes, while weekenders lost their holiday cabins. The cleanup was hampered by the fact that there was no power in the lower half of the Park. And there was no water to hose away the mud, owing to the fact that the Park’s pumps had been totally submerged.  

The Federal and State Governments have stepped in with funding that will give regional Victorian communities the immediate support they need. This includes individual grants to those directly affected by the floods and extra funding for Council to fix roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

The cleanup continues

Mount Alexander Shire has experienced widespread damage to public property, roads, parks, housing and local businesses as a result of the recent floods. Outdoor Council crews have been hard at work during the cleanup phase..

Roads

A large number of roads in the Shire have been impacted by recent rainfall. As a priority, Council staff have been working to clear debris from blocked drains and repair roads as a matter of urgency.

Council is working with the Department of Transport, which has responsibility for main arterial roads including the Midland and Calder Highways, to prioritise the works that are needed.

If residents see examples of potholes, road damage, footpaths needing repair or fallen trees, they are encouraged to log a customer request online by visiting Council’s website at www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au or by calling 5471 1700.

Rubbish removal

Council is working with residents and business operators who have been impacted by flood to facilitate the removal of flood-damaged goods and materials.

The Castlemaine Transfer Station is open to all residents of the Shire for free disposal of flood-damaged materials until Saturday 31 December 2022.

If you are dropping off flood-damaged materials, please remember to bring proof of residence in Mount Alexander Shire. Council requests that impacted residents separate any items that can be recycled from general waste.

Emergency relief payments

Emergency flood payments have been made available to help meet immediate needs including food, shelter, clothing and medication.

If you have been impacted by flooding you may be eligible for payments of $2,030 per family, including $580 per adult and $290 per child.

Residents can apply online at https://emergencypayments.dffh.vic.gov.au/.

Be prepared

As the rain continues to fall, Council is continuing to encourage residents to prepare their property for future flooding.

Stay informed on local flood alerts at: https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond, and don’t forget to use multiple sources to stay up to date, including:

  • VicEmergency Hotline – freecall 1800 226 226
  • VicEmergency app
  • Facebook or Twitter (#vicfloods)
  • Tune in to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated
    community radio stations, or Sky News TV.

Council would like to thank residents for their patience during flood recovery works, and look to ways to support our community to get through this challenging time.

Tarrangower Times 28 October 2022

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 28 October 2022.

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