Rochester locals want Lake Eppalock water released to avert flood disaster

Rochester locals are calling for the water authority to release water from Lake Eppalock to avert an imminent flood disaster.

Rochester locals have called on the water authority to release water from man-made reservoir Lake Eppalock over fears a new flood disaster is on the horizon. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Rochester residents are living in fear of another catastrophic flood as nearby Lake Eppalock sits at 98.6 per cent capacity.

As hundreds of people continue to live in caravans and sheds, locals are worried another flood is on the horizon and want the water authority to release water from the man-made-reservoir to avert disaster.

They have begged governments to intervene for months and this weekend protesters will gather at spillway with buckets in hand calling for action.

Sharon Williams is part of the Rochester Flood Mitigation Committee which is calling for Lake Eppalock to be drained to 90 per cent capacity and for flood gates to be installed.

“Releasing water would give us some airspace in the interim,” she said.

“The long term fix is a bigger release mechanism, like flood gates ... which takes years and years.”

As a fixed crest spillway, reservoir operator Goulburn Murray Water is unable to release more water than the capacity of the outlet valve which is 1600ML a day.

But only 150ML is being released a day due to restrictions over water orders from entitlement holders.

The Victorian Government is currently assessing whether changes can be made to Lake Eppalock’s operating rules or infrastructure to protect communities from future floods.

But the report is not expected to be released until November.
A Rochester resident of more than 50 years, Ms Williams locals were living in fear that the next big rain event could see their town inundated and urgent action was needed.

“The mental state and the anxiety is really, really bad,” she said.

Sharon Williams and David Christie want water let out from Lake Eppalock and new flood gates to be installed. Picture: Rob Leeson.

“Normally you’d have people walking up the street talking and laughing ... but there’s none of that at the moment.”

In October, Rochester, population 3100, saw its worst flooding on record with more than 90 per cent of the town inundated.

Ms Williams said many residents were only just getting back on their feet.

“Most farmers and businesses weren’t insured as you can’t get commercial insurance for flood,” she said.

“I spoke to one farmer and his accountant stopped counting at a million dollars of losses.”

She said many felt frustrated by the slow response from the water regulator and government. In a statement, Campaspe Council CEO Pauline Gordon said the council was seeking government funding for its Rochester Flood Review to be updated with data from the October event.

“We are also seeking funding for a new aquatic facility in Rochester to replace the outdoor pool that was demolished in the flood,” she said.

“Campaspe Shire Council continues to work closely with the SES and other emergency services to monitor weather and local conditions, and we will enact our emergency management flood plans if and when required.”
A state government spokeswoman said the water minister was “acutely aware” of the community’s distress about recent rainfall.
“The Minister has been clear in her expectations that Goulburn Murray Water regularly and proactively engage with communities and landowners in a range of ways including through direct engagement, online information, and face-to-face meetings such as the most recent community meeting that occurred last week at Molesworth, and the GMW webinar that occurred Thursday.”