Hard-working team: Campaspe Shire Mayor Rob Amos, left, Victorian SES Commissioner Rick Nugent, second from left, and Victorian Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes (white T-shirt) with the parks and gardens staff of Campaspe Shire Council.
Photo by
Michael Lloyd
While the floodwater subsided in Rochester much faster than it rose, the impacts of the event will continue to be felt.
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Campaspe Shire Mayor Rob Amos was in Rochester on Wednesday, January 10 with Victorian Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes and other emergency service personnel to inspect the town and speak to locals.
“I was in town yesterday, and the waters were nowhere near as bad as the flood that occurred in Rochester like the October ’22 flood,” Cr Amos said.
“Over the coming days, an assessment will start to understand the amount of flooding that has impacted the town.
Less than 24 hours later: Victoria St on January 10, after the floodwater subsided.
Photo by
Michael Lloyd
“Only a few days ago, I was talking to businesses in Echuca, and they said that it was their best Christmas in several years.
“We are still in the January holiday period, so the temporary flood will impact the region’s tourism numbers.”
As the community’s efforts were being recognised, local business owners were relieved that the flood fell short of the one that hit the town hard 15 months earlier.
Awash: The same red vehicle on Victoria St, Tuesday morning, January 9.
Photo by
Laura Buckley
Senior Bendigo Bank branch manager James Pietromonaco was grateful to the volunteers who supported the town.
“To be honest, it was a blessing the flood didn’t reach the heights from only 15 months earlier,’ he said.
“The effects of the 2022 flood were devastating for the town.
“Rochester has been through a lot due to the floods in 2022.”
While other major banks have been pulling out of rural towns, the Bendigo Bank has just completed a major renovation of the Rochester branch.
‘’We also have other branches in Elmore and Lockington in support of businesses in the region,” Mr Pietromonaco said.
Resident Robert Evers, who was out walking around the town, was also grateful.
“My partner, Valerie, and I are grateful that the flood wasn’t as high as the one from October 2022,” Mr Evers said.
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