People affected by last year’s floods across central and northern Victoria have been urged to have their say as part of the state’s Inquiry into the 2022 Flood Event in Victoria.
Nationals MP Gaelle Broad is a member of the Upper House Environment and Planning Committee conducting the inquiry. She said it was very important that those who had been impacted made a submission.
“For those who have lost homes, businesses and crops there is still a very long road to recovery,” she told Parliament.
She said last October’s floods spread to 63 local government areas, with devastating results.
“The impact was felt right across northern Victoria, especially in local communities like Rochester, Mooroopna and Shepparton, Echuca, Wangaratta, Seymour, Euroa, Bendigo, Charlton and Kerang.”
The inquiry will consider the causes and contributing factors of the floods, the adequacy and effectiveness of early warning systems, the resources of the emergency services, flood mitigation strategies and future planning and a range of other relevant matters.
“The committee inquiry will provide an open and transparent assessment of Victoria’s flood preparedness and prevention strategies,” she said.
“Committee hearings will be held in northern Victoria, so that we can hear the experiences of those directly impacted by the floods.
“This inquiry has the ability to make crucial recommendations and ensure our region is better prepared and protected against flood events in the future,” Ms Broad said.
The inquiry terms of reference include the ‘location, funding, maintenance and effectiveness of engineered structures, such as floodwalls, rural levees and culverts, as a flood mitigation strategy.’
The Committee is accepting written submissions until 8 May 2023 and will hold public hearings in flood-affected regions.
To find the full terms of reference of the committee, or make a submission visit the Victorian Parliament website https://new.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/inquiries/floodinquiry