By Matthew Sims
Hydrology and flood warning expert and former Melbourne Water engineer Geoff Crapper has described the terms of reference of Melbourne Water’s review into the Maribyrnong River flood event as “outrageous”.
“The exclusions for the Melbourne Water flood review terms of reference are as bad as we could have expected,” he said.
Melbourne Water appointed an independent expert to lead a review into the Maribyrnong River flooding event, which is open for public consultation until Friday, March 17.
On Friday, October 14, 2022, significant flooding occurred within the urban catchment of the Maribyrnong River, impacting more than 500 properties across Maribyrnong and causing extensive damage.
The State Emergency Service (SES) issued a major flood warning about 2.30am on October 14 as a result of significant rain in the upper ends of the Maribyrnong River catchment coinciding with high tide.
The review includes an examination of the causes and contributors to the flood event, including any potential impacts of the Flemington Racecourse flood wall and any impact of prior works or activities in the urban catchment on flood levels.
The Victoria Racing Club [VRC] built the flood wall around the Flemington Racecourse in 2007, after receiving approval from the state government to undertake upgrades and flood protection works in 2004.
However, according to the terms of reference, specific policy responses, future potential mitigation measures, overall emergency responses, flood recovery, and broad planning matters will be outside the scope of the review.
Mr Crapper said the overall emergency response should be included in any review of the event.
“Excluding flood warnings, the emergency response and evacuation procedures from the review is an affront to every single flood victim,” he said.
Speaking with Star Weekly, Melbourne Water managing director Nerina Di Lorenzo said the review would focus on the causes of and contributors to the flood event, as other elements, such as the emergency response, was outside of the remit of Melbourne Water.
“This is an important first step,” she said.Dr Di Lorenzo said Melbourne Water would act as a conduit for all feedback, distributing submissions on other elements to other relevant agencies, such as the SES.
“We don’t want to lose this opportunity to make sure people’s voices are heard,” she said.
Maribyrnong flood victim Lee Lanzafame was in the process of renovating his Clyde Street home, which his grandfather built in 1974, when 1.1 metres of water breached the walls with little to no warning whilst he and his family were sleeping.
Mr Lanzafame said there was a one inch difference between the 2022 flood level in his house and the flood level reached in 1974.
“Nothing has been done in 50 years,” he said.
“There are no proactive measures.”
Melbourne Water has appointed independent planning and environment expert Nick Wimbush to lead the review.
Dr Di Lorenzo said Mr Wimbush would ensure the review process was as comprehensive and open as possible.
“Flood planning and management is constantly evolving, so whatever the outcome of this review, we welcome the opportunity to learn and provide the best possible services for Victorians,” she said.
Melbourne Water has scheduled drop-in information sessions and online sessions throughout February and March. Findings and any recommendations would be provided to the state government later in 2023.
Maribyrnong council welcomed the launch of the review and encouraged flood victims or other residents impacted to contribute.
