A recent parliamentary inquiry in Victoria has shed light on concerns over the effectiveness of flood mitigation works, particularly focusing on the flood wall built around Flemington Racecourse. The former Victorian Legal Services Commissioner, Michael McGarvie, expressed surprise that the club had not been required to evaluate the impact of the works, emphasizing the need for better governance in such projects. He suggested that there should have been monitoring in place to ensure that the intended outcomes were being achieved. He also mentioned that it would be more practical for infrastructure like racecourses to be built at a lower level than residential areas to prevent flooding. Melbourne Water’s managing director, Nerina Di Lorenzo, admitted that the mitigation works around the Maribyrnong River catchment did not perform as expected during the 2022 inundation.
The controversy surrounding the Flemington Racecourse flood wall escalated when former VRC chief executive Dale Monteith posted pictures of the track remaining unaffected by flooding while nearby residents were dealing with water damage in their homes. The wall was built in 2007 after significant opposition from residents who argued that it would push water into their properties. Despite Melbourne Water approving the project based on data at the time, the community’s anger grew when the wall failed to protect homes during the recent floods. The VRC has expressed its commitment to working with authorities to address the issues raised in the parliamentary inquiry, while Melbourne Water has acknowledged the need to improve the compensatory measures put in place to mitigate flooding risks.
The parliamentary inquiry, initiated by former premier Daniel Andrews, has raised questions about the independence and scope of Melbourne Water’s review of the flood wall project. The inquiry’s findings are expected to lead to further improvements in flood mitigation and response efforts in the region. Babiser, a strategic analyst, suggested that infrastructure projects like racecourses should be built at lower levels to prevent flooding, emphasizing the need for greater consideration of the impact on surrounding areas. Melbourne Water’s spokesperson highlighted the importance of collecting data from the recent floods to enhance the compensatory measures put in place around the racecourse. Water Minister Harriet Shing has indicated that the government will work with Melbourne Water to identify areas for improvement in flood mitigation strategies.
The scrutiny of the flood wall around Flemington Racecourse has sparked debates about governance, accountability, and the effectiveness of flood mitigation works in the region. The lack of evaluation of the impact of such projects has been highlighted as a key concern by experts and officials involved in the inquiry. The public outrage over the failure of the flood wall during the recent floods has further intensified the calls for improved monitoring and oversight in future infrastructure projects. The collaboration between the VRC, Melbourne Water, and government authorities signals a collective effort to address the shortcomings identified in the flood mitigation works and to enhance the region’s resilience to flooding events. The upcoming final report of the parliamentary inquiry is anticipated to provide recommendations for strengthening flood response and mitigation measures in Victoria.
