AN ELECTED Liberal Nationals Government will help protect Numurkah homes, businesses and community buildings against future flooding events, pledging to provide more than $5.6M towards the construction of a permanent flood levee.
Devastating floods in 2012 inundated the town, including 77 homes, the local hospital and aged care facility and caravan park.
The community has fought for a permanent levee to be built in town to protect against future flood events, appointing the Numurkah Flood Action Group to advocate on its behalf.
Shadow Minister for Water, Steph Ryan said, “Numurkah has seen many devastating floods over the years – this levee will make sure that doesn’t happen again,” Ms Ryan said.
“The Numurkah community has pushed for action so that people don’t again endure the loss of their homes and businesses.
“We believe in backing projects the community has identified as a priority and that’s why we’ll help build a permanent flood levee in Numurkah.”
The $5.6M grant to Moira Shire Council will go towards delivering the preferred Option A from the Numurkah floodplain management study.
It will see a system of permanent levees built north and south of Broken Creek, with contributions expected from the Federal Government, and Moira Shire Council and landholders.
The Nationals Candidate for Shepparton, Peter Schwarz said the impact of the 2012 floods was still fresh in the mind of many local people.
“A permanent flood levee is the number one priority for Numurkah, so I’m proud to be announcing we’ll help deliver it,” Mr Schwarz said.
“Having lived in this district for the past 25 years and supported the work of the Numurkah Flood Action Group, I know how important this levee is. We need to make sure people’s homes and businesses are safe.”
Liberal Candidate for Shepparton, Cheryl Hammer said the levee would give local people peace of mind.
“This grant will help bring the work of the Numurkah Flood Action Group and the community to reality,” Ms Hammer said.
“More needs to be done to safeguard Numurkah against flooding and that’s what this levee will do.”
