Victorian government’s response to spring floods a disgrace

OPINION: Half a year on from northern Victoria’s devastating spring floods, the state government’s subpar response has let down entire communities in crisis.

Northern Victoria is home to some of the most agriculture-rich local government areas in the state. LGAs that are still crying out for support six months after devastating spring floods swept through the region, inundating homes and businesses, destroying community infrastructure, causing loss of life and bringing with it a wave of social and mental health issues.

Many locals feel let down by the very system designed to support them. They claim to be the forgotten victims of a forgotten flood.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews visiting the Shepparton Incident Control Centre during the devastating spring floods on October 18, 2022. Picture: NCA NewsWire/POOL/Joel Carrett

The response to the tragedy falls well short of expectations in Australia in 2023. Farmers and community residents are up in arms saying even the most basic requests for support have fallen on deaf ears.

There’s been buck passing between departments, governments and other authorities. The fact the state government can’t tell us how many homes were flooded above the floorboards in Rochester – because no official count was ever conducted – would be laughable if it wasn’t so serious.

There are estimates that 40-50 per cent of Rochester’s population is now displaced. A count in January identified at least 250 caravans or campervans in people’s driveways and backyards as they await repairs on their properties. In addition, there’s 150 residents residing at a makeshift encampment in Elmore, a small cluster of caravans in Lockington, and another in Bendigo. Those lucky enough to have a roof over their heads in town are mostly hosting relatives or friends.

Throw into the melting pot “survivor guilt”, “grant fatigue”, stretched mental health services and concerns that money from the state government to fund critical infrastructure repairs is not flowing quickly enough.

The time for words has passed. It’s time for the government to stand by its promise to govern for all Victorians.