CAMPASPE Shire Council has listened to the views of the Rochester community and chosen not to push ahead with $7.1 million in flood mitigation works.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The council will instead improve the town’s flood warning system and add flood height markers on all township houses.
A community survey found that 73 per cent of Rochester residents did not support the flood works, which a community panel found would “significantly impact the eastern rural community”.
The works were recommended in concept by a feasibility report completed after the 2011 floods, when 80 per cent of Rochester and surrounds was affected.
Campaspe Shire mayor Adrian Weston said a community panel found there were more cost-effective ways to address the flood risk.
“The panel considered the benefits of the works, the financial costs and community survey results and agreed it more beneficial to direct efforts into improving the flood warning system and flood response programs,” he said.
“The focus will be on installing flood height markers at locations throughout Rochester, installing flood height markets on all township houses, establishing an evacuation plan providing flood-free havens with access routes, as well as establishing locations for sandbag supplies.”
Other measures to be implemented include working with the SES to further develop warning and response systems.
