Protesters rally calling for Flemington Racecourse flood wall to be torn down
Protesters have rallied at Flemington Racecourse calling for the flood wall to be torn down after claims it exacerbated the Maribyrnong floods.
Victoria
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Angry protesters are pushing for the Flemington Racecourse flood wall to be torn down after claims it exacerbated floodwaters in Maribyrnong last month.
Residents marched from Footscray Park and Gardens to the racetrack on Saturday as punters gathered for Stakes Day.
Protesters yelled chants including “history will remember you”, “which side are you on?” and “will you stand with us or the wealthy few?”
About a dozen police officers surrounded parts of the controversial 3m wall as protesters held bold signs, saying “protect people not profit” and “tear down the wall”.
It comes as hundreds of properties were damaged by floodwaters when heavy rain lashed the state on October 14, while the racetrack’s lush green grass was largely untouched.
Victorian Socialists candidate Liz Walsh said the wall was a symbol of “class privilege”.
“That racecourse was kept dry to protect gambling profits, to protect corporate sponsors, to protect the wealthy who like to have their martinis on racing day,” she said.
“Meanwhile residents … had their homes flooded with dirty, muddy floodwater.
“Their whole lives were thrown on the footpath, furniture piled high for days and days because the Labor government at the time decided it was more important to protect the profits of Racing Victoria and TAB then it was to protect the lives and homes of residents, so shame on them.”
Ms Walsh said the wall had to be torn down.
“This is not going to be the last flood, extreme weather events are becoming more and more frequent and more intense,” she said.
“More people’s lives are going to be destroyed so we have to tear that flood wall down.”
Maribyrnong councillor Bernadette Thomas said the flood wall represented a “complete lack of compassion” and a “sentiment of entitlement”.
“It represents ignoring community sentiment and need in favour of the big end of town,” she said
“It represents a complete disregard for the voices of local communities and local government.
“It represents the lack of balance when it comes to making community decisions about the community versus the economy.”
The wall was approved by the Bracks government in 2004 and completed in 2007.
Three local councils — City of Melbourne, Maribyrnong City and Moonee Valley City — were against the construction at the time.
They argued that if the wall was built, floodwaters would not be able to dissipate over the large racetrack.
Instead, the wall would push floodwaters away from the natural flood plain and into nearby homes.
Water experts and residents also opposed the structure but Melbourne Water supported it.
The Victoria Racing Club won special state government planning permission for the project and maintained there would be no increase in flood levels from the development.
The Andrews government has agreed to independently review whether the wall contributed to the scale of flooding in the area.
Footscray resident Brittney Henderson said they were scared for their family and friends.
“The floods should have never been so severe,” they said.
“It up rooted people’s lives and destroyed homes.
“By having installed this wall, it speaks to the fact that powerful people are aware of the climate crisis and it’s potential effect on them.
“A green lawn doesn’t need to be protected by water.”
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