FLOOD studies have started for Horsham, the Wartook Valley and Halls Gap.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Wimmera Catchment Management Authority has worked on numerous strategies since floods hit the region in 2011.
The studies aim to improve flood planning, preparation and response by collecting data to build flood maps.
The authority’s Greg Fletcher said a flood review steering committee hosted a meeting in Halls Gap last month to gather photographs, films, maps and other information from residents.
“Halls Gap is at the stage where researchers are doing a stocktake of the data available,” he said.
“The meeting gathered information about what happened in previous floods, and there will be more consultation around that.
“We are keen for anyone who couldn't make that meeting and has flood information to get in touch.
“We are collecting terrain data for Horsham and the Wartook Valley, which has involved flying a plane over and mapping parts of the floodplain, and expanding the flood mapping in place.
“There was a study done for Horsham well over 10 years ago and things have obviously happened in the meantime.
“We are revisiting the terrain and the lay of the land, scoping out what data is there and chatting with people with relevant information.”
Mr Fletcher said a flood study at Warracknabeal had progressed further.
“That is going though the phase of working with the community and agencies there with mitigation strategies,” he said.
“There is no firm end date for when the studies will be completed – it depends on what data is available and the complexity of the flood plain.”
Mr Fletcher said there were a number of flood studies in progress before the 2011 floods.
“It wasn’t front and centre of people's minds then, but we might be back to same circumstance and get floods next year,” he said.
“That’s why it is important we do this planning and preparation now so next time it happens, we’re ready to go.”