National

Flemington Racecourse wall to be focus of flood inquiry

By AAP Newswire

Oct 10, 2023

Maribyrnong River flood 2022 — Dozens of properties were impacted when the Maribyrnong River burst its banks last year. -AAP Image

A controversial wall built around Melbourne's Flemington Racecourse will be the focus of a parliamentary inquiry into the October 2022 flood event.Â

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The inquiry will hold three days of public hearings from Tuesday looking at the flood wall and the flooding along the Maribyrnong River.

Senior staff from Maribyrnong, Moonee Valley and Melbourne City councils are expected to appear as well as representatives from the Department of Transport and Planning.

The Victoria State Emergency Service Volunteers Association, Victoria Racing Club, Melbourne Water and two retired engineers formerly employed by Melbourne Water will also have their say.

Dozens of properties were inundated when the Maribyrnong broke its banks.

Homes and infrastructure were damaged, but the grounds of the Melbourne Cup track remained clear, thanks to the 2.5-metre wall built in 2007.

A previous independent review into the floods found it was unclear how the racecourse levee contributed to the devastation of the neighbouring areas.

An independent panel, appointed by Melbourne Water, said the degree to which the wall contributed to the duration and extent of the flooding could not be assessed directly because there was no relevant modelling.