Plans to Relocate Controversial Flood Levee in South-East Australian Town

A flood levee is seen in the Australian town of Echuca, Victoria, on Oct. 26, 2022. (AAP Image/James Ross)

Emergency services are planning to relocate a controversial flood levee, which was built to prevent part of a Victorian town in south-east Australia from the recent floods while leaving other homes unprotected.

Residents in Echuca experienced a major flood event at the end of October, which surpassed previous historical levels. Emergency Management Victoria led a decision to build an emergency flood levee in the town to protect as many properties as possible. However, this levee led to flood water being pumped over the barrier to the other side as stormwater outlets were blocked.

The three kilometre long levee protected parts of the township, but the pumping of flood water over the levee to protect the town centre eventually saw many residents on the wrong side of the levee experience worse flooding.

The emergency level in Echuca has since been downgraded, and it is now safe enough for residents to return with “watch-and-act” alerts.

Victorian State Emergency Services (VSES) incident controller Paul Bates told AAP that emergency services had been in consultation with the community, with plans to move the levee further north to protect more homes.

“We have talked to the community and understand the concerns, and we are doing some planning work on hopefully being able to move that in the next little while,” Bates said.

The Echuca Relief Centre has been providing services and supplies for day-to-day needs for those impacted by the floods. Bates said that approximately 50 residents still required temporary accommodation.

Campaspe Shire Council’s mayor Rob Amos said in a statement that water levels for the Murray River will gradually drop. However, they are still expected to stay at major flood levels, and at moderate levels, for the following few weeks.

The council is still urging residents to prepare for with predicted high water levels on the river for the next few months with further rains expected.

Amos said that safety of the community is the top priority: “It’s a team effort with our community and emergency services. And we know we have a long way to go.”

Residents in flooded areas should avoid flood waters, Bates warned, as flood-affected areas can become breeding grounds for mosquitos and disease.

Disease and Infection

Following widespread flooding in parts of Victoria, health advice and recommendations have been issued by the Victorian Department of Health for flood-related illness and injury.

“Children, pregnant women, elderly people, tourists, homeless people, and those from minority populations” will be at greater risk, the department said.

Floodwaters and damp weather conditions may increase the risk of mosquito-borne disease, including the Barmah Forest virus, Ross River virus, Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus, and Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus. The JE and MVE viruses are rare conditions, but serious cases can cause severe illness or even death.

Victorian SES incident controller Paul Bates told AAP that clothing with long sleeves and mosquito repellent should be used to help prevent mosquito-borne diseases.

Cases of Leptospirosis can increase after floods, as residents may have to wade through contaminated flood water with sewage and debris or contaminated soil. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caused by the Leptospira bacteria that is in the urine of infected animals, water, or contaminated soil. Human transmission usually occurs through exposed cuts or abrasions.

People with respiratory weaknesses like allergies, asthma, or lung disease may also experience worsened conditions due to possible mould exposure, as mould grows the best in damp areas with poor ventilation. High mould levels are likely to occur if the building has been flooded for more than two days.