MOOROOPNA STILL IN FLOOD
To the Editor,
As residents of the southwest section of Mooroopna, my wife Jill and I attended the Community Forum about the flood situation in Mooroopna on Sunday evening of October 23, 2022.
Although the evening was informative it became obvious that those providing the information did not have first-hand knowledge of what the on-ground situation is.
Our street is Howe Street Mooroopna, which has the lowest section of road of the area. It started flooding on Wednesday, October 12, with the main flooding occurring the following Saturday night, Sunday and into Monday. All announcements were that the level would rise higher than the 1974 flood level, which it did, 51cm higher, according to the marker on the post out the front of our house.
It can only be felt that this prologued flooding before the main flooding added to impact of the major event. Why was there not a plan in place to clear this water before the expected flood was to arrive?
Since the 1974 flood this issue has been discussed and debated but no solution has been found.
Responsibility and consideration are not in the interest of the current Shepparton Council for Mooroopna’s residents and issues. The Shepparton Council is made up of councillors from Shepparton elected under a Gerrymander system which gives Shepparton the power to elect Councillors based in Shepparton without consideration of the outer areas of the Greater Shepparton region.
Our local independent member for Shepparton, Suzanna Sheed, is in the position of being able to act in this matter but has not shown the tenacity or political leverage to do anything. The power is hers to go to the Minister for Local Government and have the Shepparton Council dismissed, administrators appointed, and a new council election called with wards.
This would produce a council with local councillors interested in representing the wards, including Mooroopna.
Sincerely,
Chris Clark
Mooroopna
