Council working to address stormwater concerns

Published on 12 January 2024

Gannawarra Shire Council is working to alleviate residents’ concerns after between 200-300 millimetres of rain fell throughout the municipality during a 14-day period during late December 2023 and early January 2024.

The storms, which have been declared a natural disaster event under State and Federal government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, significantly impacted Kerang’s urban stormwater network, with flash flooding also affecting residents in other towns.

“Stormwater is a significant issue for Council, one which we have been devoting funding and resources to for a number of years,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.

“While our systems cannot be expected to cope with unusual storm events, we are aware of a number of hotspots that require urgent attention as they are being impacted frequently.

“As part of the Gannawarra Shire Council Asset Plan 2022-2032, Council has been working to implement projects that will alleviate pressure on town stormwater networks, both for frequently occurring events and when we receive a large volume of rain in a short period of time.

“Council officers have also been working since Christmas Day 2023, using data collected following this rain event to identify additional locations where high volumes of water pool when it cannot drain away, with this data to help implement further improvements that will reduce these risks in future events.”

Dry conditions forecast next week will enable Council staff to continue to clean out stormwater networks in all towns, removing debris that has lodged into pipes and drains following the major rain events.

“We have also escalated our focus on improving our stormwater networks via the Gannawarra Shire Council Asset Plan 2022-2032, with work occurring to acquire new drains, outfalls, pumps and generators to alleviate pressure on the network in any future event,” Mr Rollinson said.

Residents whose home, infrastructure or business was damaged by the recent storm or flooding are encouraged to advise Council of this damage by phoning Council’s Flood Recovery Support Team on (03) 5450 9333 during business hours, visiting Council's Customer Service Centres at Cohuna and Kerang, or completing the form available under the "Have you been impacted by the floods/storms" heading at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/floods

ABOVE: The Kerang Fire Brigade assisted to remove water from Kerang's stormwater network on Christmas Day 2023.