Preparing Council's urban stormwater network for spring, summer rain

Published on 10 September 2024

Gannawarra Shire Council continues to work to improve its urban stormwater network to reduce the risk of future flash flooding.

Council has spent most of 2024 investigating ways to improve its urban stormwater network after flash flooding on three occasions between Christmas Day 2023 and early January 2024 impacted communities and was significant enough to be declared an emergency event by the Federal Government.

“For many years, Council has regularly maintained its urban stormwater network and invested in upgrading stormwater pumps,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.

“Despite these improvements, we know that more can be done to reduce the impact of future events similar to the flash flooding and power outage that impacted Gannawarra Shire on Christmas Day 2023 and early January 2024.”

Following the three flash flooding events, Council staff identified more than 40 projects at Cohuna, Kerang, Koondrook, Murrabit and Quambatook that will improve the urban stormwater network.

Work has occurred throughout the year to undertake some of these projects that can be completed without the need for external funding, with one of these being the purchase of two diesel-fuelled high volume, trailer-mounted pumps that can be used to move water when required.

Staff who will be responsible for using these pumps during future flash flooding events participated in a training afternoon on 5 September.

“These two pumps will complement our current stock of pumps, with the Christmas Day 2023 flash flooding and town electricity outage highlighting the need for Council to have additional diesel-powered pumps to help move water,” Mr Rollinson said.

“These trailer-mounted pumps can be used anywhere throughout the municipality, which will benefit all residents in times when water needs to be moved.”

Meanwhile, Council staff are continuing to monitor its 26 urban stormwater pump sites located throughout the municipality.

“Staff perform an inspection of each pump site every Friday, checking for serviceability and to detect any issues that may affect pump operations.  While unforeseen problems can occasionally arise, these inspections are carried out so that the pumps are ready when we need them,” Mr Rollinson said.

Additional improvements to urban stormwater networks will continue throughout 2024/25, with planning for projects and the sourcing of additional funding ongoing.

ABOVE: Council staff spent time on 5 September learning how to operate one of two new diesel-fuelled high volume, trailer-mounted pumps that can be used to move water when required.