LAST week marked two years since the devastating floods that caused destruction across Victoria in October 2022, including in Greater Shepparton. Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell, used the anniversary to speak in parliament and call on the government to complete the recovery and implementation of flood inquiry recommendations with more urgency.
“Many Victorians have moved on and think that the recovery is finished, but it’s not. For far too many people in flood affected areas the process of recovery is far from over,” Ms Lovell said.
“In my own street there are two homes that have not yet been repaired and three homes that have been demolished and not rebuilt. For me it is a daily reminder of how slow and inadequate the recovery has been.”
Ms Lovell praised the resilience of flood-impacted communities and gave a reminder that the recovery is far from over. Ms Lovell said, “In towns that were worst affected, like Rochester, Seymour, Shepparton and Mooroopna, hundreds of residents continue to suffer as they are still not able to return to their homes and remain displaced, living in caravans or temporary accommodation.
“For many residents, the mental health battle continues. Rochester Community House has had to step in and fundraise to provide mental health counselling for locals, because the state Labor Government is not providing funding for one-on-one counselling.
“Rochester is about to face its third long, hot summer without a swimming pool because the Allan Labor Government has still not committed funds to rebuild the pool after the previous one was damaged in the floods.
“Two years after the floods, and three months after the final report of the flood inquiry was tabled, the Allan Labor Government has still not responded to any of its recommendations or announced any emergency management reforms.
Flood affected communities deserve better and Government members should hang their heads in shame.”
