Dunolly under threat

DUNOLLY SES controller Barry Cann believes up to one third of the Dunolly township area was affected by flooding yesterday. Mr Cann said about 40 homes had to be evacuated. He said the floodwater peaked at about 10.30am, with homes in Broadway and near the Burnt Creek area among those affected.The water level reached to the windows of one house in Broadway. More than 210mm of rain has fallen in Dunolly this week. Mr Cann said a relief centre was set up yesterday at the Dunolly Bowling Club for those affected by the floods and residents were able to return to their homes about lunchtime.Mr Cann said the relief centre closed for a short period before reopening yesterday afternoon to provide relief for people affected by the floods from areas such as Newbridge and Laanecoorie. Castlemaine was also hard hit with many homes in Gingell and Bruce Streets flooding yesterday. Senior Constable Andrew Casley said the Railway Hotel and the Castlemaine Football Netball Club rooms had also been affected by flooding. He estimated that both buildings were at least one metre deep in water. Senior Constable Casley said there had been no reports of injuries up until 5pm last night.