In October 2016 North East Victoria experienced a significant flood event across much of the region. During the flood event North East Catchment Management Authority (CMA) provided a support role to the Victorian State Emergency Service, who are the responsible agency in this type of emergency.
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As floodwaters and the emergency threat abated North East CMA began its flood recovery process.
Initially CMA staff headed out across North East Victoria to host a series of Flood Impact Catchment Conversations giving landholders the chance to discuss the flood event and report any damage to waterways on their properties and/or local communities.
Over the following months North East CMA staff undertook assessments of reported damage to waterways across the region visiting more than 350 sites. This flood assessment data was then used to seek additional funding to undertake flood recovery programs on waterways.
(The North East CMA) submission has received support to fund works at 56 sites.
In December 2016 North East CMA lodged an initial submission for funding under the Commonwealth Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA). This submission has received support to fund works at 56 sites where flood damage is impacting directly on public assets, to the value of about $4.5 million.
Flood damage has occurred on sites on a number of priority waterways which may not be eligible for NDRRA funding, but may be eligible under other programs. North East CMA is currently reviewing funding options for these sites. However, North East CMA also confirmed that, in cases where the site damage is at a low level and/or predominantly impacting private assets, a site may not be eligible for funding from either NDRRA or other programs at this point. North East CMA will continue to seek additional funding and will contact impacted landholders once all funding opportunities have been explored.
North East CMA is encouraging landholders who are keen to undertake works at their own expense, to apply for a works on waterways permit before commencing works. North East CMA will be waiving the $120 works on waterways permit application fee until June 30, 2017, for any landholders seeking a permit to undertake works on a waterway to restore flood damage. More information about the application process can be found on the Works on Waterways section of our website:
Contributed by North East Catchment Management Authority
