Flood fury: The Maribyrnong River disaster
In this series of articles, The Age delves into the failings surrounding the Maribyrnong River October 2022 flood and Melbourne Water inquiry.
Updated
Flemington wall worsened Maribyrnong flooding – but it won’t be torn down
The wall raised water levels for at least 240 homes in Maribyrnong during 2022’s downpour, including some homes that likely would have avoided inundation if it had not been built.
- by Sophie Aubrey
Exclusive
Maribyrnong dam ruled out, but flooded residents ask at what cost?
A report into last year’s Maribyrnong River floods says a dam proposed for many years in Keilor should be abandoned, as residents warn doing nothing leaves them exposed.
- by Clay Lucas
Maribyrnong flood forecasting, early warnings must be improved: Report
Property buybacks could also be needed in flood-prone areas along the Maribyrnong River, but the jury is still out on the Flemington flood wall.
- by Clay Lucas and Benjamin Preiss
The Maribyrnong River flood warnings that receded, then went unheeded
With the anniversary of last October’s Maribyrnong flood approaching, residents are ratcheting up pressure on authorities to better prepare for the next deluge.
- by Clay Lucas
Exclusive
Flooded retirement home built a metre too low after Melbourne Water rule change
The removal of flood rules around a section of the Maribyrnong River that discouraged building on the land allowed waters to hit the Avondale Heights retirement village.
- by Clay Lucas
Exclusive
Flooded retirement home built a metre too low after Melbourne Water rule change
The removal of flood rules around a section of the Maribyrnong River that discouraged building on the land allowed waters to hit the Avondale Heights retirement village.
- by Clay Lucas
‘Very premature’: Plea to block more homes at flooded retiree village
Residents at a retirement village in the centre of a political storm are calling for the government to step in to block the new development plans.
- by Clay Lucas and Sophie Aubrey
Exclusive
Emails reveal Melbourne Water ignored conflict advice before flood inquiry scandal
The emails also show the state government has been involved with Melbourne Water’s response from behind the scenes, despite repeatedly insisting the flood inquiry is independent.
- by Sophie Aubrey and Clay Lucas
How a late planning switch led to retiree homes being built on a former floodplain
Elderly residents left homeless by the Maribyrnong River flood have learnt for the first time that a controversial planning change was originally meant to be dramatically stricter.
- by Sophie Aubrey
Melbourne Water review a waste of time, says resident displaced by 2022 floods
Decades-old flood modelling will be upgraded after Melbourne Water failed to predict a major deluge, while Victoria Racing Club’s submission about the Flemington Racecourse flood wall is invoking disappointment.
- by Sophie Aubrey, Chip Le Grand and Clay Lucas
Exclusive
Five months ago, they were promised support. But flood-stricken businesses are still waiting
Frustrated Victorian business owners hit by last October’s devastating floods are still without financial support announced more than five months ago by the premier and prime minister.
- by Sophie Aubrey and Clay Lucas
Exclusive
Metro Tunnel among projects that may have exacerbated flood
The Metro Tunnel in Kensington is protected by a flood wall large enough to withstand a one-in-1000-year deluge. It’s just one of the projects built on flood-prone land along the Maribyrnong River.
- by Sophie Aubrey and Clay Lucas
Fresh flood inquiry after Coalition, crossbench flex muscle
The new review of the October 2022 floods will now encompass government decisions as well as rivers across the state, not just the Maribyrnong.
- by Rachel Eddie and Broede Carmody
Exclusive
Flood victims booted out of Mickleham centre ahead of its closure
After being rattled by weeks of rumours, residents found a letter under the doors of their rooms on Wednesday advising that they would need to leave the centre “as soon as possible”.
- by Sophie Aubrey
Flood and fury: How the west was let down
Since 1974, the Maribyrnong community has fought for action to protect their homes. Nothing happened – save for one large wall to protect Flemington racecourse.
- by Clay Lucas and Sophie Aubrey
Exclusive
Maribyrnong inquiry chair backed flood rules removal – then the waters hit
The expert appointed to run an inquiry into October’s Maribyrnong River flood is facing calls to resign over his role in supporting planning changes that led to a riverside development’s expansion.
- by Sophie Aubrey and Clay Lucas
Exclusive
Floods inquiry chair quits over role in swamped retirement village
The head of the Maribyrnong River flood inquiry has quit after The Age revealed his previous role in supporting planning changes that led to development near the river.
- by Sophie Aubrey and Clay Lucas
Exclusive
Flood alert system failed, leaving Maribyrnong residents to flee rising water
Melbourne Water’s new alert system was supposed to give early warning of impending danger but did not give Melburnians much chance to escape a disastrous flood.
- by Clay Lucas and Sophie Aubrey
Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/flood-fury-the-maribyrnong-river-disaster-20230518-p5d9az.html