Man tries to kayak Riddells Creek as Webyjong Park overflows

Residents looked on amazed as some people swam and kayaked in floodwaters

From diving into flood waters to kayaking in a fast moving current, residents have been left shaking their heads as heavy rains hit across Victoria.

Victoria SES issued strong advice that residents should avoid entering flood waters due the danger and rapidly changing conditions.

Despite the SES’ advice, residents in Strathfieldsaye were left scolding a parent as two children played in murky waters at Strathfieldsaye Recreation Reserve.

One man braved a fast-flowing current in Webyjong Park as Riddells Creek spilt into it.

Residents stopped to take in the underwater park before watching in astonishment as the man tried to navigate the current for over five minutes in a kayak.

Despite many warnings to stay out of floodwaters a kayaker was spotted riding Riddells Creek through Wybejong Park in the Macedon Ranges. Picture by Adam Daunt.

The area was shut off to residents by the Sunbury SES as the creek continued to spill over the park by late afternoon.

Residents have watched on as Wybejong Park’s walking track and park were overrun with water after heavy rain all day as Riddells Creek flowed.
It did not stop one man from trying to kayak in the stream as residents watched him navigate the current. #vicfloodspic.twitter.com/MHFwPyjt2i

— Adam Daunt (@_adammmD) October 13, 2022

At nearby Gisborne SES, staff were kept busy across the day as they were called out to over 100 calls for assistance across the day.

Crews responded to localised flooding calls, fallen trees and some minor landslide works while also providing residents with over 2500 sandbags.

The Gisborne community and local politicians rallied around the SES with donations to help keep them going.

“This is kind of as predicted today and it’s predicted to go for the next couple of days,” Gisborne SES sector commander Michael Bagnall said.

“We’ve had Coles drop off some support, we’ve had Mary-Anne Thomas, the Health Minister, drop off some food for as well as a number of local residents.”