The City of Greater Bendigo has applied for four flood resilience projects under round two of the Federal Government’s Disaster Ready Fund, following the flood and storm events experienced across the municipality earlier this year.
Project 1 - Huntly drainage analysis and flood mitigation action plan
Analysis of drainage and other flood mitigation opportunities, mainly focused on the area of Goldleaf Wetland.
Project 2 - Minor drainage and culvert improvement program
Proposed works include:
- Debris removal in waterways (many of which are not managed by the City)
- Addressing floodways that cut off access to properties
- Upgrade culverts, table drains etc. where frequent flooding occurs
- Improve existing detention basins to increase flood resilience
Project 3 - Waterway Flood Mitigation Management Plans
Develop management plans for waterways in Epsom, Huntly, Junortoun and Heathcote. The project will include flood modelling, input from hydrologists and ecologists, and workshops with stakeholders and the community.
Project 4 - Goornong Flood Study
Develop a flood study to inform land use and development outcomes in the draft Goornong Structure Plan. The study will also identify planning scheme overlays for areas at risk of flooding and consider local mitigation measures.
City Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cooney said the outcome of the funding applications would not be known until late 2024.
“However, some of these projects may progress in some form, regardless of the outcome of the applications, in order to ensure the City is taking the necessary steps to minimise risk to flood-prone communities,” Mr Cooney said.
“This work is expected to start mid-year and would include removing debris in and around culverts and bridges, minor culvert improvements and table drain clearing along roadsides. We would be targeting McIvor Creek in Heathcote, Back Creek in the Epsom/Ascot/Huntly areas, Splitters Creek in Junortoun, Bendigo Creek north of Howard Street, Epsom, and Racecourse Creek, Epsom.
“While the City is only responsible and able to conduct maintenance works within 10m either side of infrastructure like bridges and culverts, we will have discussions with relevant waterway and land managers about clearing debris outside of this envelope where this will make a difference to mitigating flood risk.
“The Waterway Flood Mitigation Management Plans, which are the subject of one of our Disaster Ready Fund applications, will enable us to work with relevant agencies and the community to develop a clear plan for flood-prone waterways to ensure appropriate maintenance works are conducted into the future.”
To support flood recovery and repairs to the City’s road and drainage network, the City has engaged a contractor to undertake a comprehensive audit of the network to identify damage that is claimable through the State and Federal governments’ co-funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) program.
This assessment is now complete and has identified more than 5,700 defects, ranging from small-scale culvert clearing through to full reconstruction of sections of sealed and unsealed roads in various pockets.
Mr Cooney said the total estimated value of these works is $15M.
“Under the DRFA program, the City has two years to deliver this work and have the costs covered. We are currently prioritising and programming the works, which will require the support of a range of contractors,” he said.
“Approximately 80 per cent of the rural road network has some form of damage to it. Our immediate focus has been on emergency response and make-safe works. In some areas, residents may see works have been undertaken but sites are not fully fixed yet. We will be returning to these areas in time to fix them properly.
“It’s difficult to say one area over another has been more impacted. Largely, our unsealed road network has suffered the most, particularly roads that are also key thoroughfares in rural communities. Some of the most damaged roads are in Heathcote and Eppalock, as well as the Neilborough and Sebastian areas.”
Separately, the City has undertaken 431 Secondary Impact Assessments across the Heathcote, Redesdale, White Hills, Huntly, Goornong, Bagshot, Junortoun, Strathfieldsaye and Axedale areas. The inspection team includes a City Building Technician, an Environmental Health Officer, and psychosocial support from either Red Cross or VCC Emergencies Ministry.
Of the properties visited, assessments found:
- Approx. 113 dwellings had above floor inundation reported
- Approx. 44 dwellings had significant under floor inundation
- Approx. 88 properties lost fencing and were referred to BlazeAid for assistance
Anyone needing help is encouraged to ask for help as soon as possible.
A number of flood recovery barbeques have also been held in flood-affected communities, which have been positively received by residents and presented an opportunity to further assist their recovery journey and connect them with necessary services and information.
The City is also supporting local resilience and recovery initiatives through partnerships with community groups including Marong Neighbourhood House and Heathcote Community House.