25 May 2023
The review into the Maribyrnong River flood event is now well underway.
From January through to March 2023, flood impacted residents, community members and stakeholders were invited to contribute to the review by making a submission and sharing their experiences. During this period we:
We've developed a detailed report on the engagement activities undertaken to support and inform the public consultation and submissions stage of the Maribyrnong River Flood Review. Read the Engagement Report to learn more about Melbourne Water's engagement approach, the community response, and the key themes observed throughout the public participation process.
In April, we announced the appointment of the independent Review Lead, the Hon Tony Pagone who is a former Federal and Victorian Supreme Court Judge and King's Counsel whose experience includes servicing as Chair of the 2019 Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
The submissions received to the independent Review have been handed over to the Review Lead and the work of the independent panel has begun with a tour of impacted areas and preliminary meetings with some submitters in early May. Click here to view the submissions.
Over the coming months, the Panel will conduct further meetings, consultations or site visits and review all relevant information.
Melbourne Water made a submission to the independent flood review and will continue to provide further information as may requested by the Review Panel. You can read our submission online and we will progressively release additional information as it becomes available. Click FOLLOW at the top of this webpage to receive email updates as new information becomes available.
The Review Lead is now due to submit his final report to Melbourne Water in October and we anticipate public release of the report in November.
Timeline item 1 - complete
17 January - 17 March 2023: Public consultation and submissions period
Timeline item 2 - complete
April 2023: Submissions released publicly
Timeline item 3 - complete
May 2023: Community Shared Experience Report published
Timeline item 4 - active
May - August 2023: Review Lead considers submissions and all relevant information, conducts meetings, consultations or site visits as required
Timeline item 5 - incomplete
September - October: Review Lead writes up report and submits report to Melbourne Water
Timeline item 6 - incomplete
November 2023: Anticipated public release of Review Report
As part of the community consultation stage of the review, community members and stakeholders were invited to share their experience of the October 2022 Maribyrnong River flood event.
A total of 51 community members shared their personal experiences of the flood event online and at the community information sessions and their stories, experiences and images are captured in the Shared Experiences Report.
The Shared Experiences report has been provided to the Review Panel to help inform their overall understanding of the flood event. It will also be provided to relevant agencies (including councils and the VicSES) for consideration.
If you are building back in a flood-affected area, you may find our guide to retrofitting your home a useful resource. Find out what to consider by downloading our guide below, or call us on 131 722 and we can post you a hard copy.
Know your flood risk and get prepared for future flood events. Visit the Melbourne Water website to see if you live in a flood prone area, and if so, how to prepare for a flood event.
Melbourne Water respectfully acknowledges the Bunurong, Gunaikurnai,
Taungurung, Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples as the Traditional
Owners and Custodians of the land and water on which we rely and operate.
We
pay our deepest respects to their Elders - past, present and emerging.
