The Murray River flood plain was formed thousands of years ago by flooding waters and this process continues.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
I would suggest that councillors from both sides of the Albury-Wodonga border examine the photographs and paper records in the Wodonga Historical Society's Museum, and The Border Mail's archives, before considering any part of the flood plain for use as a caravan park (tried before) or other accommodation.
They should also examine photographs of the Albury approach to the Murray, where floods cut off Wodonga Place from road traffic for several days, holding up hundreds of trucks which, as the flood waters receded, had to straddle the white line down the centre of the road between a long line of SES and emergency personnel and travel at walking pace on to the causeway to save the road pavement from destruction. I remember the road was closed for three days and nights and Wodonga members of the Albury SES couldn't get through floodwaters to get home at night. At that time, the SES also manned the Wodonga Creek bridge to stop all northbound traffic using the causeway.
I remember on several occasions during floods, paddling my way in gumboots across the area now called the circus site. The Murray River has a tight curve in that area and, when there's a flood, cuts across that land.
The Wodonga Historical Society also has a photograph of a Lemke Road mother rowing her children in a boat along Lemke Road to the causeway as she evacuated their home.
It was for good reason that Wodonga Council (when Les Stone was mayor) and Albury-Wodonga Development Corporation signed a joint agreement not to allow more buildings on the causeway and developed a plan for sporting and recreational facilities compatible with water, for the western side of the causeway. Existing businesses could continue within the same family, but not be sold to a new owner.
As a member of the media in those days, I remember water flowing through Mr Weatherall's business premises at ground level, the present market stall site, and volunteers sandbagging the 'gateway' and other buildings as they worked in water to their knees. It'll all happen again, as demonstrated in 2010 and 2011 in Wodonga floods.
Jean Whitla, Wodonga
Vast reserves of energy
Good to see the federal government make a move in providing a reliable power supply for all Australians.
Australia have vast reserves of energy, which we just seem to want export while we have some the highest power costs in the world.
There have been many billions of dollars in subsidies to provide alternate energy supply while at the same time, our supply reliability has diminished.
Solar and wind power have issues which our children and grandchildren will have to resolve.
The federal government decision to promote the building of a gas-powered power station is the only alternative at this time when wind and solar power supplies cannot meet the base load demand.
Clean coal and nuclear power would take longer to construct due to their complexity.
Do not be fooled by the current energy suppliers as they had built there models around alternate energy supplies, which is being heavily subsidised by federal and state governments.