Flood inquiry hearings end; final report to come

23 May 2024 Watch flood inquiry coverage

Watch a snapshot of the evidence given by Melbourne Water and its Independent Review Panel.

The inquiry into Victoria’s October 2022 flood event has held a 13th day of public hearings, the last before tabling its final report to parliament.

Melbourne Water and its Independent Review Panel were called to reappear before the Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee after the release of their report into the Maribyrnong River flood on Friday 3 May.

It contains updated flood projections for the Maribyrnong River catchment to the year 2100 and an assessment of the Flemington Racecourse floodwall.

‘The Committee was grateful for the time of Melbourne Water and its Independent Review Panel, including Chair Tony Pagone AM KC,’ Committee Chair Ryan Batchelor said.

‘We were able to ask questions and clarify some of the information presented in the report, as we too prepare our final report with findings and recommendations for government.’

Tim Peggie, Tony Pagone and Mark Babister from the Melbourne Water Review Panel at the final flood inquiry hearing.
Tim Peggie, Tony Pagone and Mark Babister from the Melbourne Water Review Panel at the final flood inquiry hearing.

Climate change emerged as a key driver of increased flood risk for communities surrounding the Maribyrnong River.

‘The chance of the 2022 flood occurring back in the 60s, 70s, 80s or 90s was about two per cent,’ Independent Review Panel Member Mark Babister told the Committee.

‘Because of the warming already, today - it’s about 50 per cent more likely. By 2030 it’ll be about 60 per cent more likely and depending on what CO2 emission scenarios we end up on, it could end up in 2060 at two-times more likely and 2090 it could end up as bad as three-times.’

Mr Babister warned all catchments face a similar threat, according to the latest research.

Melbourne Water's Tim Wood, Nerina Di Lorenzo and Craig Dixon answered many questions from the Committee.
Melbourne Water's Tim Wood, Nerina Di Lorenzo and Craig Dixon answered many questions from the Committee.

Meantime, Melbourne Water committed to greater engagement with communities to increase their awareness of flood risk.

‘We did a survey back in 2021 more broadly across the Melbourne catchment and found that only about 19 per cent of people who are exposed to flood risk even knew they were exposed,’ Melbourne Water’s Craig Dixon told the Committee.

‘So since the October 2022 event we ran a campaign under the leadership of the SES called Know your Flood Risk which started in August last year.’

Mr Dixon said thousands of people have since been notified of their risk via letter box drops, door knocks, community drop-in sessions and social media.

The Flemington Racecourse floodwall also dominated discussion at the final public hearing.

Full transcripts will be published alongside those of previous sessions on the Committee’s website.

The inquiry’s final report is due to be tabled in the Upper House by mid-2024.