Over the coming weeks, Campaspe Shire Council will begin updating the Rochester flood study.
Campaspe Shire Mayor Rob Amos said council would conduct a thorough flood study of the Rochester area, reviewing previously considered mitigation options.
“We have seen the devastation from the October 2022 and, more recently, the January 2024 flooding events, and we continue to support the Rochester community in recovery,” Cr Amos said.
“We want to carefully and thoroughly examine the best options available to mitigate floods for this community.”
Council said work would start soon.
“The updated flood study will start in either late April or May, depending on the availability of a specialist engineering consultant, with an expected completion date of late 2025,” a spokesperson said.
While the process would be long and exhaustive, Cr Amos said he looked forward to the findings.
“Our teams will be undertaking extensive community consultation in the process of completing this study and will pursue a balanced approach to assessing possible mitigation methods that arise from this new study,” Cr Amos said.
“We are very open-minded to all potential mitigation options.”
To keep updated on the project, visit the Works and Projects page on council’s website.
The funding for the study was secured through a Victorian Government initiative to support councils to fast-track more flood studies so that communities are best prepared for future floods.
The updated flood study will also consider the recently completed Lake Eppalock technical assessment and the potential benefits for Rochester.
The updated flood study will be expanded to encompass the Campaspe River downstream of Lake Eppalock to the Murray River, including the flood breakout flows that occur along its length, such as happened in October 2022, affecting areas such as Nanneella, Strathallan and Bamawm.