Campaspe Shire Council general manager Keith Oberin said the project will provide the community with valuable flood information that will assist them in better understanding flood predictions and warnings, individual flood risk and better plan for and respond to, future flood events.
“When a future flood warning is issued in the future, the Rochester community will be able to readily understand what it means for them, know where to obtain information relevant to their individual needs and then decide what actions they need to take,” Mr Oberin said.
Rochester is prone to flooding due to its location on the Campaspe River floodplain, the Resilient Rochester Project will provide the local community with the knowledge and tools to confidently manage future flooding events, large or small, with minimal impact.
Major flood events are rare; however, the January 2011 Rochester floods hit businesses and residents hard, with 80 per cent of the town significantly impacted.
Following this, extensive community input was sought to assist with the development of the Rochester Flood Management Plan.
Funding of $100,000 through the Natural Disaster Resilience Grant Scheme along with $50,000 from council is being used to implement the remaining recommendations in the Rochester Flood Management Plan.
“Recommendations in the plan are being delivered through the Resilient Rochester Project,” Mr Oberin said.
Flood warning systems have now been upgraded so that more timely and accurate information is available during future flood events. This includes the automation of the Rochester Town Gauge, enabling greater prediction of flood.
“The focus is now on taking advantage of the flood information and improved warning systems, to build the capacity, capability and resilience of the Rochester community,” Mr Oberin said.
Over the coming weeks, updates will be provided to the community as well as helpful information and tools.Information will be in the local newspaper along with regular social media posts through the SES Rochester Unit Facebook page, supported by the council.
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