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Tim McCurdy and Kim O’Keeffe – Damning flood report exposes Labor’s failures
Wednesday 31 July 2024
A key parliamentary flood report has exposed the government’s extreme failure in planning, preparing for, and responding to the 2022 floods.
The Legislative Council’s Environment and Planning Committee Report into the 2022 flood event in Victoria found that over 4000 properties were isolated or inundated across the Shepparton District electorate, demonstrating a clear failure from the State Government to adequately plan and prepare.
Shadow Minister for Water, Tim McCurdy, said that Labor’s failure with Loch Garry devastated locals in Shepparton, cutting the town in two.
“The planning was not adequate, the system failed, and thousands of people were isolated or lost their homes,” Mr McCurdy said.
“Labor was not there before, during, or after the floods – instead, they put the burden on an overworked and under-resourced SES who did a phenomenal job.
“The recommendations in this report are serious and must be heeded by Labor to prevent a repeat of 2022.”
The Nationals Member for Shepparton, Kim O’Keeffe, said that the findings have highlighted the ongoing impact on communities, with many residents still displaced from their homes.
“The report also highlighted the lack of funding and support for volunteer organisations such as Shepparton Search and Rescue,” Mrs O’Keeffe said.
“Many businesses had delays in receiving financial support and the report calls on the government to simplify the process.
“The floods highlighted the extreme need for the Shepparton Bypass and the causeway between Shepparton and Mooroopna completely shut down and causing complete disconnect of the two towns.
“It takes time to recover, and this government needs to understand that support doesn’t end when the floods end. And the impacts are still ongoing.
“I was proud of the community’s resilience but would not stop in ensuring the government implemented key recommendations.”