Deluge of flood ideas

By Danielle Galvin
FLOOD-AFFECTED communities are being urged to send in their photos and write down their experiences to help form part of Cardinia Shire Council’s new Flood Management Plan.
The council’s manager of community risk and emergency management Myles O’Reilly said the plan would bring together information from the various flood management agencies.
“What’s been found is that there is a shared responsibility between the state, councils, household members and the broader community,” he said.
Mr O’Reilly, who worked on the State Government’s Comrie Review on flood warnings and responses, said the plan could include what residents need to be aware of in emergencies and what areas are likely to flood.
“It might say the point on what roads which are likely to flood,” he said.
Residents whose properties are prone to flooding are encouraged to send in their thoughts and experiences.
“By the community sending in information to us, that will give us the best picture of what happens in Cardinia Shire and help us identify key mitigation issues,” he said.
“We won’t have a solution for everything but it will give us the best picture we’ve had to date.”
Mr O’Reilly said the council was actively seeking input from the community.
“We are trying to collect as much information as possible,” he said.
On Friday, a team from the council, Melbourne Water and the Victorian State Emergency Service (SES) visited 12 sites in the shire that are prone to flooding.
The sites included Toomuc Valley Road, King Street Pakenham, Tynong, Garfield, Main Drain Road and the South Gippsland Freeway.
Mr O’Reilly said the shire has a unique landscape.
“We have areas that are prone to fires, floods and storms,” he said.
“The Emerald SES is the second busiest storm unit in the state and the hills have fires and storms.”
Residents can send information, pictures, their experiences and thoughts to flood@cardinia.vic. gov. au or post it to Council Offices, Henty Way PO Box 7, Pakenham.
“Their experiences will help to inform us,” he said.