Maribyrnong council has paid tribute to the residents, businesses and organisation across the municipality who have rallied to help those affected by “one of the worst flood events in the city’s history”.
The Maribyrnong River burst its banks in the early hours of Friday, October 14, forcing residents to flee their homes.
The river peaked at 4.18 metres. Council said the worst flood on record was in 1906 when the river peaked at 4.5 metres.
In the aftermath, council clean-up crews have hit the streets with sweepers, bobcats and back hoes and and have been working their way through flood impacted streets to clear debris, sweep roads and pressure wash footpaths.
Mayor Anthony Tran said while this is clearly a testing time for many, one of the positives to come from this event is the way we are seeing our community coming together.
“It is at times like this,” he said.
“When we see the best of people – and we’re seeing that demonstrated now in our city with many businesses, organisations and individuals putting their hands up to help.”
Cr Tran said council has been grateful also for the support from other councils and the state government.
“Moonee Valley helped with accommodation, and Port Philip, Brimbank and Wyndham councils have sent their street sweepers to help with the clean-up,” Cr Tran said,
“We also welcome the half a million dollars in funding from governments Council Flood Support Fund announced yesterday to help cover the cost of clean-up efforts, including the collection and removal of debris on our parks, reserves and community assets, and help restore local facilities and services.
Council will continue hard waste collections until October 21 to help flood-affected residents to clear debris from their homes.
Council-owned buildings, parks and sports fields, and associated infrastructure, will also be assessed and cleaned where necessary to return them to the community for their use as soon as possible.
A relief centre at the Maribyrnong Community Centre remains open from 9am to 5pm to provide support to impacted residents. This includes helping complete applications to access government payments.
