Flooding west of the city, Melburnian has raised concerns that the controversial flood wall at Flemington Racecourse has exacerbated the inundation of homes.
Key Point:
- Flemington Racecourse has rock walls to protect it from flooding
- Some opposed the construction because it threatened to exacerbate flooding in surrounding communities
- Racing Victoria’s chief executive said the Victorian Racing Club had the right to protect the course from flooding.
Maribyrnong streets are covered in mud and debris in the aftermath of massive flooding that affected up to 100 properties in Melbourne.
But Flemington Racecourse, home of next month’s Melbourne Cup, has escaped severe flooding that inundated the surrounding streets.
Some residents said the racetrack was able to avoid the fate of the neighborhood because rock walls push water back into nearby streets.
In 2004, despite opposition from residents and local councils, the Labor government at the time approved the construction of a wall to protect the racecourse from flooding.
Local resident and historian Liz Crash said the area around the racetrack was always a floodplain.
She said that when the flood wall was first planned nearly two decades ago, three local councils opposed it over concerns that it would exacerbate flood risk in the area.
“This has always been a big concern for the community,” Crash said.
Suggestion that flood wall had ‘unintended consequences’
Racing Victoria CEO Andrew Jones told Channel Nine he believes the flood wall has had “unintended consequences for local residents”.
“VRC took steps to protect or protect its property from flooding 15 years ago.
“It clearly had unintended consequences for neighbors.
“Obviously there is no intent to harm the VRC. They are trying to protect a very important part of Victorian life and the Victorian economy – the Spring Racing Carnival and the Melbourne Cup Carnival.”
VRC Chief Executive Dale Monteith on Friday praised the flood wall’s success, saying it has brought a legacy as it protected major events such as the Melbourne Cup Carnival next month.
It drew criticism from angry residents dealing with flooded properties.
Monteith told ABC Radio Melbourne on Friday afternoon that the VRC had worked with Melbourne Water to ensure safety.
“I was completely satisfied. At the time, I didn’t do anything that affected anyone else on the floodplain,” Monteith said.
“My sympathies are with those affected. I don’t think it’s right to blame the flood wall as far as I know.”
Monteith said VRC was working with downstream properties at the time to improve flow.
“Events like today happen no matter what happens to people in flood plains. It’s a no-brainer,” he said.
Melbourne Water defends models behind flood wall
A spokesperson for Melbourne Water said on Saturday that the construction of the 2004 floodwalls was subject to “a range of additional flood mitigation measures as well as the continued maintenance and management of these assets”. .
A spokeswoman said modeling work at the time showed that flood control works could be done in a way that did not increase flood risk to surrounding areas.
They also noted that flooding in the Maribyrnong River was caused by heavy rainfall associated with Melbourne’s third consecutive year of wet La Niña weather patterns.
Ellen Sandel, state green legislator, said flood walls flew in the face of climate-safe urban planning.
“The racetrack is on a floodplain and needs to hold floodwaters if necessary,” she said.
“Instead, this afternoon [Friday] While people have lost their cars and evacuated from their homes in inflatable boats, it is the only dry land that is miles away. ”
She blamed the Black government for pushing the project forward nearly two decades ago.
“Once these floods subside, Racing Victoria and all related gambling entities looking to bank millions of dollars at the Spring Racing Carnival will be ready to set aside cash to support the flood cleanup efforts. It would be better,” Sandel said.
SES and Prime Minister Daniel Andrews declined to comment on the matter, saying it was a Melbourne Water issue.
VRC said it did not wish to comment.
Residents face thick mud as cleanup begins
Speaking about flooding in Melbourne’s rivers, Weebush said an evacuation order was lifted in Mali Brinon this morning as the rivers fell below minor floods.
He said there has been moderate flooding on the Yarra River, which is expected to last for several days.
As for the Werribee River, he said there has been minor flooding that could last until next week.
In Maribyrnong, Solly Ahmet faced a thick layer of mud covering her home.
He said SES picked him up on a boat on Friday when the water level at his home was two feet.
“My wife was walking with the frame and her legs couldn’t take her upstairs, so I had to call SES,” he said.
“On the driveway you have to walk through an inch and a half of mud.
“The fear is now. Will this happen next week, or this week?”
Andrews said plans were underway to use the Mickleham Quarantine Facility north of Melbourne to house flood victims.
“We think we can accommodate about 250 people in a few weeks,” he said.
He said the government has started recruiting staff for the facility.
