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Emergency services minister visits Rochy to gauge flood situation

Water flows: Victorian SES Commissioner Rick Nugent, SES volunteers Judith Gledhill and Tim Williams and Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes. Photo by Michael Lloyd

A day after the Campaspe River peaked in Rochester, the Victorian Emergency Services Minister and other emergency personnel visited the community.

Emergency Services Minister and State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes was at Rochester SES headquarters on Wednesday, January 10, and reassured residents that the government was doing all it could to aid a quick recovery.

“We are happy that Tuesday’s flood was much lower than the one that occurred in October 2022,” Ms Symes said.

“I understand that the flooding that occurred here only 15 months ago has many of the Rochester residents on edge.’’

During a press conference, Ms Symes spoke of monetary assistance available to impacted residents.

“The government is also offering personal financial assistance for people that have been impacted or had to evacuate,” Ms Symes said.

SES Commissioner Rick Nugent said it was incredible to see such a resilient community come together.

“I would like to thank the volunteers from the SES, CFA, Forest Fire Management, Victoria, the ADF and the community members who rallied behind this effort to support the town leading up to this event,” he said.

Town visit: Victorian SES Commissioner Rick Nugent and Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes in Rochester on Wednesday. Photo by Michael Lloyd

Following the conference, Ms Symes joined Mr Nugent and Rochester SES members to inspect the town.

She visited various sites around Rochester to hear first-hand from residents about the community.