Flood

Volunteer-based not-for-profit organisations have received vital support through the Early Needs Recovery Program to help re-build, repair and clear fences in flood-affected areas ... "By providing this funding to ShoreTrack, BlazeAid and Rotary Australia to help with the fence rebuilding process, it is hoped to take some of the pressure off farmers to get this done so they can concentrate on other parts of their businesses and recover production quicker": Peta Holcombe, Early Needs Recovery Project Manager.

John O'Donnell assesses the Productivity Commission's limited recommendations regarding natural disaster management in its latest report, "Advancing Prosperity", and concludes that the PC and governments have missed key opportunities to better nail natural disaster management across Australia.

Murray River campers and river users looking forward to spending time on the Murray downstream of Hume Dam this Easter are reminded to be aware of potentially changed river conditions as a result of the recent floods. MDBA Executive Director of River Management, Andrew Reynolds said depending on which part of the river you visit, riverbanks may have changed and hidden snags and other debris may be more prevalent.

The Authority discussed the ongoing consequences of recent floods through the Basin, in particular the tragic fish deaths this month in the Barka-Darling River at Menindee. They expressed their deep concern about the impact on local communities and the river environment and commended the coordinated efforts of water management agencies and the NSW Police to address community concerns, to ensure potable water supply and to effectively remove a great many dead fish from the river.  

Campaspe Shire Council has announced a package of rates relief in 2022-2023 for properties impacted by the October 2022 floods ... “About 1,000 properties have already had rate adjustments by the Victorian Valuer General as they have had a secondary impact assessment and been through the supplementary rates process": Campaspe Mayor Cr Rob Amos.

The sound of the musical eastern banjo frog ringing out across the Pike floodplain is among the incredible sights and sounds ecologists are observing as floodwaters recede throughout the Murraylands, Riverland and Lower Lakes ... "We will eventually go back into a drier period and that is when the 450 gigalitres promised SA under the Murray Darling Basin Plan but not delivered will be of the utmost importance to maintaining the health of the river system": Susan Close.

The Darling River was once again making headlines as the muddy waters were hardly visible through a blanket of dead fish. The Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s mantra of ‘just add water’ has had a schooling once again by mother nature as the kills come on the back of some of the highest inflows and floods on record.

The Paddock Run flood initiative, which was driven by the Buloke community, has been nominated for the Disaster Preparedness category in the 2023 National Awards for Local Government ... Council partnered with over 45 food businesses and grain receival sites across the shire to deliver flood support and assistance information to the paddock, truck, tractor, harvester, ute etc., using a less conventional, but more practical delivery method – via their stomachs.

The Bungawalbin levee runs through Debbie Johnston’s property. The 7.8km long levee is meant to protect the Bungawalbin catchment from flooding ... It was built in 1945 to protect the Lower Richmond from minor–moderate floods, Ms Johnston said. “It broke here in 2017, 2021 and again in 2022. It can no longer protect us.”

A frustrating four-and-a-half-year battle of hide and seek with one elusive fox has finally come to an end within a fenced area safe-haven in north west NSW’s Pilliga State Conservation Area. The final predator, nicknamed ‘Rambo’, was outfoxed by a couple of floods and the project area has now officially been declared feral predator-free.

Scientists have launched a series of research projects to determine how River Murray environments are responding to the once-in-a-generation flood. The Department for Environment and Water is working with the Goyder Institute for Water Research and its partners to fill knowledge gaps to inform the future management of riverine, floodplain and wetland habitats.

Hiromi Hotel: Rainbow  by acclaimed Japanese Australian artist Hiromi Tango is a sensory art installation that takes inspiration from 'the rainbow’, drawing on the colours and symbology of this natural wonder. The rainbow is a recurring theme in Tango’s work, however, it has particular significance for Lismore.

There’s an outbreak of a famous book in Woodburn. Samuel Allis who opened Hemlocks Books and Coffee three weeks ago has been recommending one of his favourites to customers.

What a night. The Woodburn Memorial Hall was packed with more than 300 people who had come to the official launch of the short film  Tinnie Heroes. At the end of the film, there was a standing ovation ... " although it was an emotional experience ... it actually felt uplifting and inspirational to listen to the stories of the amazing tinnie heroes who risked their own lives in order to save others": Jim Lagerstedt.

The southern Murray–Darling Basin tracked some of its highest rainfall and inflow totals on record in the tail end of 2022, according to the MDBA's update to the 2022-23 Annual Operating Outlook. The update details how the Murray–Darling Basin Authority may run the River Murray under a range of possible climate and rainfall scenarios, to help water users and river managers with future planning.

Community water and sewer systems across north-east Victoria are now more resilient to the growing impacts of climate change and natural disasters ... John Day, General Manager Environment, Systems and Operations, said ‘behind the meter’ power systems will help keep water and sewer infrastructure operating in emergency situations.

Baked cheesecake, fruit tarts, apple strudel with vanilla sauce served with a bowl of gelato – it’s enough to make your mouth water. Heike and Reto Bodenburg will be serving Swiss and German cakes at their cafe in Coraki opening this Saturday, March 4.

One year on from the February-March floods, the most pressing need is for housing. Residents need to know what options are available to them – whether it be a buyback, raising the house, doing a retrofit or no option at all because they are not eligible.