After an outcry from industry and the public, which cast some doubt on the validity of the study’s conclusions and its impact on the local economy and community, councillors commissioned an independent peer review.
The review, being conducted by Venant Solutions, focusses on the issues influencing riverine flooding outcomes at Mulwala and will be considered before the Flood Risk Management Study and Plan (FRMS&P) project proceeds.
The FRMS&P project will be overseen by Federation Council’s Flood Risk Management Committee with council currently advertising for Mulwala residents to fill two vacancies.
The committee was formed at the commencement of the Flood Study with council staff, councillors, state government agency representatives and community representatives.
It is expected to meet following the completion of the peer review.
Pending the outcome of the peer review, the FRMS&P will be conducted by Sydney-based WMAwater, the company which conducted the Flood Study.
It is expected to take 18 months to complete and will assess options for mitigating flooding impacts at Corowa, Howlong and Mulwala and develop appropriate planning and development controls.
The Save Mulwala Action Group Inc (SMAGI) welcomed the update at the July meeting this week.
SMAGI acknowledged the peer review as an important step towards restoring community confidence and ensuring that local lived knowledge and strategic considerations were incorporated into long-term flood risk planning.
However, spokesperson Bronwyn Thomas said there were several key concerns that remained unresolved.
The group has requested clarification around Venant Solutions, their expertise in Murray River systems and the terms of reference provided to them.
SMAGI has questioned whether the peer review findings would be shared in full, and how they would be made available to community representatives.
They also questioned how the peer review would address ground-truthing gaps (empirical evidence), local hydrology, historic water management and the role of Yarrawonga Weir.
“Council’s May resolution committed to support SMAGI’s request for three Mulwala community representatives to be included on the Flood Risk Management Committee, with two attending at any one time and a third nominated alternate,” Ms Thomas said.
“Current documentation calling for expressions of interest appears to omit this detail, and updated Terms of Reference have not yet been formally adopted.
“SMAGI urges the Federation Council to uphold its commitment to inclusive and sustained community representation, particularly for Mulwala, a town uniquely affected by the modelling outcomes.
Ms Thomas said this week’s council meeting was a critical milestone and assurance was needed that the independent review was not just procedural, but influential in shaping the way forward.
“Mulwala deserves a flood risk plan that is accurate, future-focused, and informed by those who know the land best,” she said.
“SMAGI remains committed to working constructively with Federation Council and key stakeholders to achieve this outcome.”
Flood Risk Managment Committee
If you live in Mulwala and are interested in nominating to join the committee, you can complete a Community Membership Nomination Form available at the council’s website before August 8.
For further information contact Trevor Clark on 02 6033 8999.
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