An investigation has found that the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) did not adequately assess the effectiveness of flood mitigation works at Flemington Racecourse. The lack of governance and evaluation of the impact of these works has raised concerns among officials. Melbourne Water managing director Nerina Di Lorenzo acknowledged that the flood wall did not perform as expected during the 2022 inundation. Despite this, she defended the decision to approve the project 20 years earlier based on the data available at the time.
The controversy surrounding the flood wall intensified after former VRC chief executive Dale Monteith praised the project in a social media post, causing outrage among residents whose homes were flooded. The wall had been a point of tension since its approval in 2007, with residents campaigning against it due to concerns that it would push water into their homes. The VRC spokeswoman stated that the club remains committed to working with Melbourne Water and other authorities on this matter, while a Melbourne Water spokesman mentioned plans to improve the compensatory works based on data collected from the 2022 flood.
The lack of independence and limited scope of the Melbourne Water review ordered by former premier Daniel Andrews led to the establishment of a wider-ranging parliamentary inquiry into the 2022 flood event. The inquiry, supported by Coalition, Greens, and crossbench MPs, aims to provide a comprehensive report on the issue following the recent hearings. Water Minister Harriet Shing’s spokeswoman mentioned that the government would respond to the inquiry findings and collaborate with Melbourne Water to enhance flood mitigation and response efforts. The focus is on understanding how flood mitigation in the Maribyrnong River catchment can be strengthened.
During a parliamentary inquiry, concerns were raised about the governance and evaluation of flood mitigation works at Flemington Racecourse. Officials questioned the VRC’s oversight and suggested that monitoring and additional obligations should be in place to ensure the effectiveness of such projects. Melbourne Water’s managing director, Nerina Di Lorenzo, admitted that the flood wall had not met expectations during the 2022 inundation but defended the decision to approve it based on the available data at the time. The controversy surrounding the flood wall escalated after a social media post by former VRC chief executive Dale Monteith praised the project, causing outrage among flooded residents.
Residents had campaigned against the flood wall’s construction, fearing that it would divert water into their homes. Despite these concerns, the structure was built in 2007 after the planning minister overturned opposition from local councils. Melbourne Water’s ongoing efforts to improve the compensatory works based on data from the 2022 flood were mentioned by a spokesperson, indicating a commitment to address the issues raised during the parliamentary inquiry. The government’s response to the inquiry findings and collaboration with Melbourne Water to enhance flood mitigation and response efforts are key priorities moving forward. The comprehensive report on the 2022 flood event will provide insights into improving flood management in the Maribyrnong River catchment.
