By Aaron Cordy
Current affairs program 60 Minutes ran a segment on Australia’s floods and the challenges people face in insuring their homes and properties in the wake of natural disasters due to climate change, on Sunday, July 20.
The segment focused on climate change affecting insurance policies, with the floods in Taree NSW, fires in Hall’s Gap Victoria, and the October 2022 floods in the Goulburn and Murray valley’s, including Shepparton and Rochester.
Citing a Climate Council report that said 750,000 properties are considered to be at high risk of damage or destruction from natural disasters, with another million and a half facing a greater than moderate danger.
The show also said Shepparton is “The most at-risk, unliveable city.” “It’s predicted that by 2030, 90 per cent of homes in Shepparton will be uninsurable.”
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Cr Shane Sali, released a statement on the program.
“I strongly reject the misleading and factually incorrect claims made during last night’s 60 Minutes segment, labelling Shepparton as the ‘most unliveable city in Australia’ due to flood risks,” said Cr Sali.
“These claims fail to acknowledge the significant, proactive, and ongoing efforts undertaken by agencies, Greater Shepparton City Council, and the community to enhance liveability, bolster community resilience, and address insurance challenges.
“It is extremely disappointing that we were not contacted for comment or brought into the conversation. The report gave no opportunity for Council to reinforce our position as a dynamic and diverse regional hub, proudly known as the “Food Bowl of Australia.”
“We are a growing community of almost 70,000 people and home to over 7,000 local businesses, with our central location creating a thriving economy and a high-quality way of life.
“Emergency events like the October 2022 flood event have demonstrated the strength of planning controls which have been in place since the 1990s.
“Insurers, regulators, and policymakers need to step up and think about supporting Australians with policies that are affordable, accessible, and do not penalise homeowners and businesses unfairly.
“Greater Shepparton is a vibrant, thriving region and our Council is unwavering in its commitment to making it a premier destination to live, work, visit, and invest.”
Despite Mayor Cr Shane Sali’s strong response to 60 Minutes, it is not the first time the Climate Council has made this claim about the region.
In April 2025, data commissioned by the Climate Council listed Shepparton’s CBD as one of the most vulnerable suburbs in the country for uninsurability due to climate-related risks. With 16,775 properties, 88 per cent are considered at “high risk” of becoming unaffordable or impossible to insure, due to the risk of climate-related damage.
Shepparton-focused reports have not mentioned all the small communities affected by the 2022 floods, including Mooroopna, which was one of the worst affected, with many people in the town still dealing with the physical damage and the emotional trauma that the October 2022 floods left on the community.
The Council confirmed that 900 properties were damaged by floodwater in 2022, or 5.3 per cent, with 80 properties totally or partially destroyed due to the flood event.
