Maribyrnong: Flood clean-up expected to take weeks, residents consider legal action

A massive effort to clean up flood damage in Maribyrnong is expected to take weeks as more than 40,000 tonnes of debris, sludge and damaged belongings have already been removed.

More than 40,000 tonnes of debris and waste have been removed from the flood-affected streets of Maribyrnong as the clean-up effort continues.

About 250 homes were flooded on October 14 after heavy rains across much of Victoria led the Maribyrnong River to burst its banks.

Maribyrnong City chief executive Celia Haddock said staff have been working seven days a week since the flood.

“All of our staff, we’ve had 250 staff out on the street … you need to know your council staff are working for you,” she said.

“We‘re here managing a disaster, as well as we need to keep our other council services going.”

For more flood coverage see Victoria’s most shocking floods over the past few decades

Clean up continues in Maribyrnong after the flood. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Ms Haddock said almost 2000 tonnes of waste has been collected from streets surrounding the river by council staff and volunteers.

She said about 160 tonnes of mud and 42,000 tonnes of debris have also been removed from drains, roads and open spaces.

“Council’s focus is on the mammoth clean-up efforts, and we are still assessing the costs,” she said.

“The clean-up efforts are ongoing and expected to be complete in the coming weeks, and we are working closely with volunteers and Government bodies for support.”

“More than 250 residential properties and a number of council open spaces and assets have been impacted by the floods.”

Some affected residents have raised the possibility of legal action against the Victoria Racing Club, believing the 3m floodwater wall around Flemington Racecourse exacerbated the severity of the flood.

Last week, Melbourne Water confirmed they would conduct a review of the decision to grant approval for the wall in 2007 and examine if it had an impact on the devastation.

Maribyrnong mayor Anthony Tran said the clean up will take a long time.

“We are working our way progressively through the flood area cleaning up as we go,” he said.

“There is still a long road ahead of us, but we are doing all we can to help our community get through this, together.

“I could not be more proud of the way our community has come together to support impacted residents in their hour of need.”

Affected residents can access free hazard inspections of their property by calling 1800 560 760.