Parliament to probe floods

VICTORIA’S preparation and response to last year’s major floods will be examined through a new parliamentary inquiry.

An upper house motion to establish the inquiry passed unopposed on Wednesday morning after the Coalition and Greens teamed up to expand its scope.

Melbourne Water review is analysing the Maribyrnong River floods but the parliamentary inquiry will have a statewide focus.

The Avoca, Barwon, Broken, Campaspe, Goulburn, Loddon, Maribyrnong and Murray rivers will be among the catchments and floodplains assessed.

Other areas to be put under the microscope include causes and contributors to the flood event, the effectiveness of early warning systems, and resourcing of the State Emergency Service and adequacy of its response.

In addition, the Opposition agreed to pass Greens amendments to specifically examine the Government’s approval of the controversial Flemington Racecourse flood wall and planning decisions.

Nick Wimbush stepped aside as independent lead of the Melbourne Water review after it was revealed he was the sole member of a Moonee Valley planning panel in 2015.

That panel requested flood overlay changes for part of the Rivervue Retirement Village, where dozens of properties were inundated when the Maribyrnong broke its banks in October.

The Melbourne Water review will look at the impact of the racecourse levee and flood modelling but emergency flood warnings and mitigation measures won’t be assessed under its terms of reference.

Victorian Greens Deputy Leader Ellen Sandell accused Labor of trying to sweep criticism of their handling of the floods under the carpet.

“But with this parliamentary inquiry, it will shine a light on some of these key decisions and concerns that the community has,” she said.

The Environment and Planning Committee will report back with findings and recommendations by June 30, 2024.

– BY CALLUM GODDE/ AAP