2010 / 2011 Floods - Recovery Information

To find out the latest information about the 2012 Flash Flooding event and flood recovery news click here.

Information About Flood Recovery, Roads and Drains

Some frequently asked questions are answered here.

Refurbishment of Gibbons Bridge, Redesdale
 
Council’s contractor Global Consulting Pty Ltd is currently refurbishing the Gibbons Bridge on the Sutton Grange/Redesdale
Road. The bridge is currently closed and temporary road closures and detours are in place.
 
The west bound traffic detour is via the Heathcote/Kyneton Road, Siddies Road, Metcalfe/Redesdale Road and the
Bendigo/Sutton Grange Road. The east bound traffic detour is via Bendigo/Sutton Grange Road, Metcalfe/Redesdale
Road, Siddies Road and the Heathcote/Kyneton Road.
 
Council apologises for any inconvenience and work is expected to be completed by the end of July to improve the local
road network.

Community Lunch
Need to get out of the house and away from the clean up? Come along to Community Lunch at Castlemaine Town Hall on Tuesdays at 12.30pm during term time. 

Council's Flood Recovery officers will be in attendance to say hello. Lunch is vegetarian and two courses, a donation of $3 is appreciated if you can manage it.
 
Mid Winter Community Fun Day

To celebrate the community's resilience in the face of floods, Council and CHIRP are working to organise a free community lunch and fun activities for all ages at the Campbells Creek Community Centre from noon til 4pm on the 11th August. Keep an eye on the Flood Recovery News for more information.

 

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The Mount Alexander Shire Community Recovery Committee (CRC) has been leading recovery from the 2010 / 11 floods. The role of the committee is a critical component in assisting individuals and communities to manage the re-establishment or any needs necessary for their well-being after a disaster by:

 

 

• Representing the needs of the community;
• Acting as a community advocate;
• Communicating and listening to the community;
• Educating the community on recovery;
• Coordinating and monitoring activities and events into the community
• Acknowledging and documenting the recovery journey of the community

Membership of the CRC includes representatives from Mount Alexander Shire Council, CHIRP, and the Department of Human Services.

 

 

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Department of Human Services Resources

Individuals living in flood affected communities can be impacted in a number of ways. The Department of Human Services offers a range of assistance for communities that have been affected by the recent heavy rain and floods, including:

• Accommodation support for people affected by the floods such as caravans or moveable units
• Emotional health and wellbeing throughout the recovery period
• Financial assistance in the form of grants and gifts that can assist with the task of cleaning up and rebuilding
• Flood support workers that are available throughout flood affected areas to help people with their recovery
• Household matters such as restoring personal items, legal issues or removing mould

For more information visit www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency or call the DHS Loddon Mallee Region on 1300 165 413.  


Australian Red Cross Resources

The Australian Red Cross has an extensive range of resources available to help you clean up after the floods, including cleaning your home and cleaning clothes and valuables.

Visit www.redcross.org.au or check out:

 

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The following fact sheets may be useful to those affected by floods:

You can also access the Flood Information Updates produced by Council throughout January and February 2011:

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Mount Alexander Shire experienced four significant rainfall events during September 2010, November 2010 and January 2011.

The most extreme rain fall event occurred during the period from 10 January to 15 January 2011, when 191.6mm of rain was recorded at the Loddon Prison Weather Station. This is approximately five times the January average and is 40% higher than the previously recorded high for January of 127.8mm recorded in 1973.

These events had a severe impact on all communities within the Shire, with unprecedented water runoff that caused major flash flooding.

Damage to buildings included:

• 65 households
• 40 farming properties
• 11 Commercial properties suffered severe flood damage
• 10 Council Asset buildings suffered severe flood damage
• Damage to Council and community infrastructure including footpaths, walking trails, and recreation facilities

The locations where properties were directly affected included:

• Campbells Creek
• Newstead
• Yapeen
• Chewton
• Guildford
• Taradale
• Metcalfe
• Baringhup Caravan Park
• Castlemaine (Gingell Street, Bruce Street, Elizabeth Street)

The floods created a broad range of problems which will have both short and long term impacts including:

• Restricted access around the Shire due to temporary / longer term road closures
• Water inundation of residential and commercial properties, and community buildings
• Displacement of people from their permanent residences
• Disruption to a number of local businesses
• Significant loss of property
• Damage to Council and community infrastructure including roads, bridges, footpaths, walking trails, drainage systems and recreation facilities
• Damage to rural properties including the loss of fencing, livestock, crops and stock feed