Macedon Ranges council will provide a submission for the parliamentary inquiry into Victoria’s response to the major floods in October 2022.
At its meeting on Wednesday, May 24, council said it was invited to provide its thoughts, feedback and experiences, along with members of the public and organisations.
Councillors welcomed the opportunity to provide a submission and Cr Rob Guthrie said he was pleased the government was going to examine it seriously.
“This to me is a very significant event … [and] is something that we should be considering a lot more seriously,” Cr Guthrie said.
Deputy mayor Jennifer Anderson said she hoped the inquiry will look into the issues that contributed to the damage and provide adequate resources to better equip flood affected communities.
“I understand that Macedon Ranges in the last two years has had nine significant declared events and this is the trouble we’re seeing with climate change,” Cr Anderson said.
“The impact in our shire can be huge and I think hopefully this inquiry will be able to look at those issues and provide adequate resources and funding to local government to support … our community.
“[This will help us] to be more resilient to floods so if floods happen we are better equipped and we will have less damage and then also to be able to build back better afterwards.”
The parliamentary inquiry will look at what caused or contributed to the flooding and the adequacy and effectiveness of early warning systems.
Council’s final submission will include feedback towards; improved early warning systems, resourcing and funding, the Victorian Floodplain Management Strategy and Planning Scheme Amendments, the 1905 Water Act, and communication and clarity of funding support.
Zoe Moffatt
