In the most recent update, the flood model has been readjusted, using both data from the 2022 flood and community feedback, to better reflect local conditions.
The main adjustments included improvements along the Waranga Western Channel east of the Northern Highway and the removal of the section just upstream of Echuca, where the Echuca Moama Flood Study model has been adopted instead.
Campaspe Shire Council director of infrastructure Kate Lemon said community feedback had been vital to shaping the flood study.
“Community input has been invaluable throughout this process. Local knowledge and observations have helped validate the model and shape the list of potential mitigation options,” she said.
“Every suggestion received from residents, engineers and stakeholders was considered by the Community Reference Committee and the project team.
“The next steps include detailed modelling of shortlisted mitigation options to assess their effectiveness and any broader impacts. This work will run in parallel with mapping of design flood events, ranging from more frequent floods to extreme scenarios.”
A total of 39 potential flood mitigation options were identified through community submissions, engineering assessments and the Lake Eppalock Technical Review.
Each option has been reviewed by the project’s Community Reference Committee and technical consultants to determine which ones are viable for further investigation.
Several of the more significant proposals focus on Lake Eppalock, a key factor in flood behaviour across the catchment.
These include increasing the outlet capacity to lower the lake’s full supply level to 90, 70 or 50 per cent, to allow more room for floodwater storage.
Another option involves maintaining the lake at full capacity but undertaking controlled pre-releases before major rainfall events.
Consultants cautioned that pre-releases, which rely heavily on accurate forecasting that proved difficult during the 2022 flood, could create downstream flooding risks if done prematurely.
Other options being explored include the creation of retarding basins upstream of Lake Eppalock to temporarily store floodwater.
While potentially effective, the basins could inundate land not currently considered flood-prone and come with significant costs.
Smaller-scale measures will also be tested, such as local levee upgrades, improved drainage and minor works designed to reduce the flow of floodwater through town.
These works will be modelled collectively to measure their combined effect.
State Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh, who has been working alongside the community, said identifying and implementing mitigation options was a worthwhile investment.
“You’re not going to eliminate a flood, but we’re going to make sure we mitigate big streams of the flood as much as possible and hopefully that process will happen,” he said.
“They’re saying the 2022 flood — not just for here, but across northern Victoria — cost $1.5 billion dollars. A few hundred million into some key strategic works that would minimise that risk would be a very good investment.”
The flood study will now move into detailed modelling of the shortlisted options to determine their effectiveness, cost and potential impact.
The results will guide future mitigation planning and investment for the Rochester region.
Further updates will be shared as modelling progresses and preferred options are identified.
More information on the 2025 Rochester Flood Study and future updates can be found at https://tinyurl.com/26r5d2ee
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