ADF helping Echuca residents sandbag properties with fears for homes, businesses

Residents hold grave concerns for their properties in low lying areas near the Campaspe and Murray rivers as the army moves in to help with sandbagging.

The army has been helping Echuca residents to build walls of sandbags around homes and businesses in low lying areas near the Campaspe and Murray rivers.

Collier St resident Peter Kyne only moved into his house three months ago and has painstakingly prepared for the possibility the Campaspe River, which is lapping at his doorstep, will inundate his home.

He fears the Campaspe will “back up” when the water starts rising in the Murray.

With his home in “a low spot”, he had been filling sandbags to build a wall at the end of his street and protect his home on Monday morning, after moving all of his furniture and belongings upstairs or stacking them on tables in his garage.

Peter Kyne home is at a low point. Echuca prepares for a second rise in water levels as water from the Murray River meets the Campaspe backing up both. Picture: Jason Edwards

He even pulled up his newly laid carpet so it would not be ruined by flood water.

He was relieved when the army sent in reinforcements to help him fill sandbags and stack them along the flood levy in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, antique tractors which are normally on display in Echuca were being loaded up to be transported to safety in the event they are impacted by water, while residents, assisted by the army and emergency services, continued to shovel sand into bags to protect shops and business along High St on Monday afternoon.