Echuca residents split by flood response

Echuca has been split in two with neighbours separated by a levee that could lead to salvation for some and disaster for others.

A levee bank that snakes 2.5km through Echuca has left neighbours divided — literally.

With the Murray River expected to burst its banks from Friday, the emergency levee that has gone up through the town has left some properties to face the rising water with little protection.

Contractors have continued work on the 2.5km levee around parts of Echuca overnight. They are now putting the finishing touches on the massive project, with residents hoping it will be enough to protect their homes from the rising Murray River #echuca#vicfloods#victoriafloodspic.twitter.com/B24JZIKrRu

— Hayley Elg (@hayleyelg) October 18, 2022

In Pakenham St, Jay Harrington is angry about the decision to sacrifice a pocket of homes.

He said two routes were initially on the table — one which would join existing permanent levees along the Murray to protect all homes, and the current route.

Community members were told the second route was chosen because it would be quicker, more cost effective and use less material.

“I understand why, and that they want to sacrifice a few to save many, but you still need to consult people,” Mr Harrington said.

“I’m angry. We survived the floods in 1993 at ground level but now we feel left out, isolated and ill informed.”

He claims he only found out the levee was being built in the middle of his street when the trucks started turning up and dumping dirt.

Jay Harrington has found himself on the wrong side of the emergency Echuca levee. Picture: Jason Edwards

He said this meant he lost “precious time” to prepare his home, which backs on to the Murray — and it’s already spilling into his backyard.

Neighbours who live on his side of the levee feel underprepared for the expected disaster, which, if it pans out as predicted, will mean some homes on the wrong side of the levee will be completely inundated.

While Mr Harrington house is built higher, he believes he will be completely surrounded by water by the weekend.

And he did not prioritise getting sandbags, thinking his house would be protected by the levee.

He said this was a potentially devastating lack of communication from authorities for people shut-out of the levee, who should have been prioritised at sandbagging stations.

Believing he will probably be “buggered” as the first in the street who will be impacted, he wants this to be a lesson.

He has vowed to campaign for the dirt to be moved from the middle of the road to the back of homes post-flood.

Jay Harrington has found himself on the wrong side of the Echuca wall. Picture: Jason Edwards

Noting the massive undertaking to construct the levee took about 36 hours in the rush against time to protect the town, he believes it should not be so difficult to build upon the scattered, small permanent levees along the Murray and build a higher one that protects all homes permanently.

Across the road and the 2.5m high levee, Gary and Judy Campbell also lived through the floods in the 90s.

While crediting how quickly the levee had been built, they were also irritated about the rush when it should have been permanently built years ago.

“We are grateful that it’s there and hope it works but we also really feel for the people across the road,” Ms Campbell said.

“It’s heartbreaking for them. We wish we could do more.”

So while they wait, they have been doing everything they can for their neighbours — including the vulnerable and elderly.

John and Julie Quinlan, who live on the wrong side of the Echuca wall, cross it with supplies. Picture: Jason Edwards

Their daughter and grandchildren live across the street and have sought refuge with them on the “right side”, while worrying about their own house.

Mr Campbell said that while the present was “unknown”, once it was over the focus needed to shift to future prevention.

“In the future we need to have the infrastructure ready to go. We’ve had enough warning shots now,’’ he said.

“We don’t want to see this happen again. There needs to be better planning and a permanent levee.”

Working in the earthmoving industry, he has also vowed to maintain the pressure on authorities to construct a permanent levee.

“Even if this flood isn’t as bad as they say, it still needs to be done,’’ Mr Campbell said.

“It could be turned into a nice walking and bike track and they’d only have to build it once.

“If the levels change then it would only be a quick addition, not another huge project at a huge expense.”