Repairs and upgrades after flooding that hit Altona and Seaholme on June 25 are expected to cost more than half a million dollars.
Homes were flooded along the Esplanade during a storm surge, which damaged the foreshore from Apex Park to Cresser Reserve.
Hobsons Bay is one of eight Victorian councils that will receive money to repair storm damage through the jointly funded federal-state natural disaster relief and recovery arrangements.
Hobsons Bay mayor Sandra Wilson said damage included the undermining of several sections of the coastal trail, collapse of the Correa Street access ramp and foreshore sand being washed away.
“The initial estimates for restoration of damage exceed $200,000 and over $300,000 for upgrades to prevent future damage,” she said.
“Council has registered with the Department of Treasury and Finance under the ‘natural disaster funding’ for repairs of damaged assets, and will also apply for funding from the Department of Environment and Primary Industries under the ‘coastal environments program – public access and risk grants’ for the rock revetment protection works along the section of foreshore damaged at Cresser Reserve and the reinstatement of the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.”
Cr Wilson said funding had also been allocated in this year’s capital works program for a seawall extension and realignment of the shared trail at Apex Park.
Hobsons Bay SES, which received more than 40 calls on the day of the flooding, will soon take delivery of new state government-funded rescue equipment.
Deputy controller Peter Tester said the unit had received funding under the volunteer emergency services equipment program for a new state-of-the-art general rescue and storm response trailer.
“This new trailer will be a welcome and much-needed boost for our volunteers,” he said.
