Welcome back to the McPherson Media Group live blog, covering flooding across the Goulburn Valley, Campaspe Valley and Murray River.
We’ll have links to stories from across the region in the blog across the day.
A reminder: the most recent news updates are at the top of this blog. As you scroll down, you’ll be travelling backwards in time.
Ensure you stay across alerts on the Vic Emergency app, the Victoria SES website or calling 132 500 if you urgently need assistance. Call 000 in an emergency and remember to never drive through or enter floodwaters.
If you need to contact us, please email editor@sheppnews.com.au or call (03) 5831 2312.
UPDATE 5.45pm: Signing off
I’m signing off for the day, thanks for jumping on today’s live blog.
We’ll be back again tomorrow to keep you updated with all the latest.
Before I leave you, here are a few yarns from today.
And a quick shout-out to our incredible team in Echuca as the situation continues to unfold, read more here.
As always, stay safe.
‒ Caitlyn Grant
UPDATE, 5.30pm: Shepparton resident attempts to help home
When Shepparton resident Shane McDonald discovered his house had flood water through it, he got to work quickly to cut the bottom section of plaster off his walls, to save them from being destroyed.
He also got to work ripping up the carpet quickly as part of his clean-up.
The Longstaff St resident said he had about 18cm of water through his house.
Reporter Monique Preston caught up with him to hear his story.
UPDATE, 5.25pm: Community spirit in Murchison
Deputy editor Max Stainkamph was in Murchison today, he met Glenn McPherson of Murchison Service Station.
Mr McPherson said he was so proud of everyone doing their bit to help during sandbagging and preparation efforts.
He said children as young as seven and eight were in Stevenson St alongside people in their 70s, filling as many as 30,000 sandbags.
"It's something these kids will remember forever," he said.
Mr McPherson has helped organise deliveries of milk and bread to Murchison with the help of GV Batteries' Paul Archer.
The Rushworth Bakery also chipped in and supported the town by baking 50-odd loaves a day to be given away for free.
UPDATE, 5.20pm: Moderate flooding easing at Kialla West
Moderate flooding is easing along the Seven Creeks downstream of Euroa.
The Seven Creeks at Kialla West is currently at 5.15m and falling, it’s expected to fall below the moderate flood level of 5m overnight.
UPDATE, 5.05pm: VicEmergency provides information
Shepparton Incident Controller Ray Jasper has delivered an update on the flood situation in the region.
The community of Barmah are reminded to evacuate by 6pm tonight or risk becoming isolated.
Mooroopna, Shepparton, Kialla West and Murchison have had emergency warnings removed, though Murchison East still has water around it and the evacuation message is still active.
Mr Jasper said the forecasted rain across will lift some streams and flash flooding is a real risk with thunder storms, but the community will not see a repeat of the last week.
Shepparton’s Incident Control Centre will be open 24/7 for at least another week. Watch below for more.
UPDATE, 4.55pm: Rubbish disposal update
Greater Shepparton City Council has provided an update on rubbish disposal in the region.
Kerbside bin collection commenced today as per the normal collection schedule.
Though, there’s no capacity to collect bins that were missed earlier this week due to the flood emergency. Read more here.
UPDATE, 4.30pm: Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Program
The Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Program is offering one-off $5,000 grants to sporting clubs across the state directly affected by the floods.
The grants are available to assist in the replacement of items that have been lost, damaged or destroyed.
Applications will open at 11am on October, 21and stay open until 5pm on January, 13 2023 or until funding is exhausted.
More information is available here.
UPDATE, 4.10pm: Worries for residents
Jeff Stainby is living at Murchison East Caravan Park and is worried that the dozen or so people there ‒ who've been told not walk or drive across the bridge or High Rd in Murchison ‒ have nowhere to go to get food or medicine.
Replacement buses are going to Murchison, not Murchison East.
Residents are still cut off even though the water has receded. Stay tuned for more.
UPDATE, 4pm: Stud horses rescued just before feed runs out
A Congupna stud has managed to evacuate its 33 horses overnight after days of them standing in flood waters and just before their feed ran out.
“In times like this you just need to cry,” Krystelle Park Performance Horses Stud owner Nealy Bennett said.
Get the full story in the Country News here.
https://www.countrynews.com.au/news/flood-and-no-feed-forces-horse-rescues-from-congupna-stud/
UPDATE, 3.45pm: Expressing gratitude
News photographer Holly Daniel and cadet reporter Patrick Morrow were down at the evacuation centre and had a chat with Samantha Rogers whose Shepparton home was sadly inundated with flood waters.
She said she was “forever grateful” for the help from everyone at the centre.
More to come.
UPDATE, 3.30pm: Which road? Watt Road
Senior reporter Monique Preston has been out and around town all day and discovered that while Watt Rd bridge at Mooroopna is out of water, there’s still quite a while to go for the road itself.
UPDATE, 3.10pm: Murchison and Mooroopna clean up
Reporter Nicola Ceccato has just spoken with Emma St, Mooroopna resident Julius Francia.
The water made its way up the driveway and into his backyard which ended up spilling over to his neighbours backyard too.
That full story will be online later, including how he received a food delivery from some kind strangers while he was flooded in.
Meanwhile, deputy editor Max Stainkamph is upstream of Shepparton and Mooroopna in Murchison.
He’s out and about and said the Goulburn was still sitting pretty high.
UPDATE, 2.50pm: CFA pumping floodwater in Mooroopna
The CFA are pumping water off Toolamba Rd in Mooroopna, in an attempt to steer water away from surrounding Lenne and Howe Sts.
CFA City of Greater Shepparton group officer and sector Commander for Mooroopna, Warren Cartwright said they're working hard to move the water off the road as efficiently as possible.
"We're operating under the command of the Incident Control Centre undertaking some pumping operations," Commander Cartwright said.
"We're just doing the best we can to support our partner agencies in the community."
UPDATE, 2.40pm: Premier visits Rochester during clean up
Rochester was hard hit by floods last week, with the Campaspe River peaking higher than the 2011 flood event.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Emergency Management Commissioner Andrews Crisp have dropped in today to meet with locals and volunteers.
Meanwhile, in non-flood news, a historic agreement has been signed between the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria and the State Government, which clears the way for treaties to be negotiated with Traditional Owners from as early as next year.
Full story on that announcement here.
UPDATE, 2.10pm: Flood emergency campaign established
The Greater Shepparton Community Flood Emergency Campaign has been created, to raise funds for those affected by the floods and to assist with response efforts.
Greater Shepparton Foundation (GSF) will act as an independent administrator of flood relief funds, to ensure services on the ground are receiving the financial support they need.
“The Greater Shepparton Community Flood Emergency campaign will raise funds to support the needs of residents of Greater Shepparton and with the response efforts and more long-term with helping residents get back into their homes,” GSF executive officer Amanda McCulloch said.
“There will be significant long-term support required for the Greater Shepparton community, and we are seeking everyone’s help to support the immediate needs of our community and long-term with helping residents get back into their homes.”
Some of the agencies at the forefront supporting Greater Shepparton City Council’s emergency response and recovery efforts include Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project, Committee for Greater Shepparton and Shepparton Foodshare.
Donations are being taken via Paypal on the GSF website www.greatershepparton.foundation
UPDATE, 1.55pm: Mooroopna Woolworths and Aldi are open
Mooroopna’s Woolworths and Aldi supermarkets are now open after several days of remaining closed.
Woolworths is open from 10am to 3pm. There are reports both are quite full of people, so please remain patient.
UPDATE, 1.40pm: Assistance available
Generations Op Shop in Tatura at 119 Hogan St is offering free clothing, goods and food for anyone who is flood affected in the area.
The shop is open 10am to 2pm weekdays, if you need urgent assistance, call 0493 238 698.
UPDATE, 1.20pm: Wallaby rescued by Toolamba locals
Our team have been filing more flood stories throughout the day, including this one from Country News’ Geoff Adams about some Toolamba locals who rescued a Wallaby.
The men were in a tinny when they spotted a bobbing head a long way from dry land on Monday.
The three men had been offering assistance to neighbours and residents and fortunately found that most people were okay.
“We thought we would go for a cruise in the boat when we came across this little fella.”
The rescue is captured on video and can be found in the story here.
Meanwhile, Max Stainkamph has written up a wrap of Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s visit to Shepparton this morning.
UPDATE, 1.05pm: Latest in Echuca-Moama area
Major flooding is occurring at Torrumbarry and Barham, while Echuca and Moama are seeing moderate flooding, with major flooding expected.
The Murray River at Echuca Wharf may reach around 95 metres AHD (above sea level) around Friday, with major flooding.
This level is higher than the October 1993 flood event.
The Murray River at Torrumbarry Weir may reach around 7.85 metres around October 24 to 29, with major flooding. This is higher than the January 1974 flood.
The Murray River at Barham may reach 6.20 metres in the last week of October, with major flooding. This is higher than the October 1993 and 2016 floods.
UPDATE, 1pm: Evacuate now Barmah and Lower Moira
Just catching up on some emergency warnings now.
An updated warning has been issued to evacuate immediately which now also includes the area north of Barmah between Moira Lakes Rd and Broken Creek Rd.
The river height at Barmah at 9pm yesterday was 6.7 meters and a peak of 7.6 metres is expected in the next 30 to 48 hours.
For context, the 1974 flood peak was 6.4 metres.
“If you do not evacuate it is expected that you will be isolated within the next 24 hours by flood waters,” the warning says.
An emergency relief centre has been established at the Nathalia Community Sports Centre, 42 Robertson St.
The safest evacuation route is through Picola to the Murray Valley Hwy (B400), turn right to head south directly into Nathalia.
UPDATE, 12.50pm: Dutton speaks at showgrounds
Deputy editor Max Stainkamph was at the Shepparton Showgrounds where Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton spoke to the press this morning.
“I think every Australian would be proud of what we’ve seen here today,” Mr Dutton said.
Mr Dutton acknowledged the work of Greater Shepparton City Council, the Australian Defence Force, and the “amazing” volunteers within the Goulburn Valley.
“I want to say on behalf of all Australians, thanks for what you do,” he said.
“There are many people who have inundation in their own homes and they’ve put that to one side and are here helping the community.”
He also pumped up the tyres of Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell who he said “had the respect on the ground” and thanked Victorian Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell.
“Communities need their leaders to come together and the way in which we've seen that working today should give a great deal of confidence to locals, who in many cases are in their darkest hour,” Mr Dutton said.
UPDATE, 12.45pm: Customers pitch-in for clean up
Monique and Megan, our dynamic duo in Mooroopna, have just spoken with Peter’s Fish Shop owner George Kontakos, who’s there with his family cleaning up.
As a Shepparton resident, he’s been unable to check on his shop until this morning when the causeway opened.
“It was hard seeing videos and photos (of the street) and we didn’t know if there would be internal damage,” he said.
By the looks of it this morning, Mr Kontakos estimates the water got to half a metre high inside the shop.
He’s lost all of his frozen stock and while he’s selling cold drinks for now, he plans to open properly on Tuesday.
As well as the family, customers have joined the clean up effort, coming in to sweep water out of the shop.
“The amount of support we get in Mooroopna is amazing,” Mr Kontakos said.
“Mooroopna is a close-knit community full of amazing people.”
Amazingly, Monique and Megan found a tiny, dead shrimp in the gutter on Mill St.
They checked with the fish shop, which confirmed it wasn’t one of theirs.
UPDATE, 12.25pm: Homes still isolated
While some people begin the clean up and recovery from the flood, there are others whose homes are still isolated.
Reporter Nicola Ceccato is making her way around on foot after making sure her house was okay and is seeing many streets still underwater.
Meanwhile, our photographer Megan Fisher captured this video of kids getting to work cleaning up Peter’s Fish and Chip Shop.
UPDATE, 12pm: Businesses start clean up in Mooroopna
More from Monique Preston who has just spoken to Karz Coffee Shop Cafe owner Stephen Murphy, who’s in cleaning up after the flood.
He’s got the coffee machine on today while he cleans up, so if you’re on the lookout for one in Mooroopna you can buy one there.
He said the water came up about 15cm inside the cafe, short-circuiting three freezers and the motor on the salad bar; all which will need to be replaced.
Monique said there was a bit of action on McLennan St as people return to tidy up the mess the floodwaters left behind.
UPDATE, 11.45am: Traffic in Mooroopna
Nicola Ceccato is reporting huge lines of traffic in Mooroopna as residents return from Tatura.
She said traffic is backed up on McLennan St from the edge of Toolamba road out to Tatura.
UPDATE, 11.35am: Dutton visits Shepparton relief centre
Federal opposition leader Peter Dutton is in Shepparton this morning, visiting the Shepparton Showgrounds relief centre.
UPDATE, 11.30am: Mooroopna shopfronts smashed
Back to Mooroopna, where reporter Monique Preston and photographer Megan Fisher are this morning.
In McLennan St, near the Young St corner, they’ve seen five shopfronts with smashed windows.
UPDATE, 11.25am: Check the fine print on flood insurance
Some Goulburn Valley residents are returning to their homes to find wet carpets and damaged furniture.
Shepparton Carpet Court business partner Murray Reid returned to work today to a deluge of phone calls asking for help and advice.
“The phone hasn’t stopped ringing,” Mr Reid said.
He advised householders to first check with their insurance cover before calling to get professional assistance.
“Read the fine print, as some residents think they are covered for flood damage, and they are not.”
He anticipates a lot of work ahead.
“I think we could be laying carpet for flood affected places for six months.”
UPDATE, 11.05am: Shepparton and Mooroopna reunited
We’re seeing a bit of confusion on Facebook still about the Causeway, so to confirm that it is definitely open and you can travel both ways (at a reduced, safe speed of 40km/hr), here is Gary Lovell from Shepparton Search and Rescue.
Our own photographer Megan Fisher and reporter Monique Preston have also just arrived in Mooroopna.
While our colleague Nicola Ceccato is one of many who is finally able to return to her home in Mooroopna, after six days evacuated on the other side of the Goulburn.
UPDATE, 10.45am: Tatura Milk Industries resumes milk collection
Country News’ Geoff Adams is bringing us this update.
Tatura Milk Industries is resuming bulk milk deliveries to its Tatura factory this morning for the first time since power was cut off.
The Tatura factory in Tatura lost power on the weekend when the Mooroopna sub station was affected by flood waters, and although some power was restored by Powercor, on Tuesday, October 18, it was still running on only 60 per cent of its normal load requirements.
The company had to stop taking in fresh milk deliveries, and asked for other companies to collect and process their milk in a co-operative arrangement.
By Thursday, most of their suppliers milk could be collected but one remained cut off due to flooded roads.
Bega executive general manager of nutritionals and ingredients, Hamish Reid, said the major challenge was getting staff into the factory.
A major impediment was the closure of the causeway between Shepparton and Mooroopna, which prevented staff from getting from Shepparton to Tatura.
Although emergency vehicles and milk tankers were being permitted through it wasn’t clear what the rules were for access.
The Tatura factory produces cream cheese infant formula and commodity powders for export.
UPDATE, 10.25am: Causeway opens!
The Causeway between Mooroopna and Shepparton is now open to one lane traffic, the Shepparton Incident Control Centre has just announced.
There are stop/go signs between Echuca Rd and Elsie Jones Dve.
UPDATE, 10.20am: Public transport update Shepparton Mooroopna
Greater Shepparton City Council has released an update on public transport, as below;
Jacobson’s Bus Lines has a local bus route operating between Mooroopna and Shepparton.
This route operates from Cnr McLennan and Northgate sts, Mooroopna, to Harris Scarf, Kmart Shepparton and return to Mooroopna on the hour. (10 round trips daily, between 8:40am and 5:50pm.)
V-Line: V-Line are operating rail replacement bus services between Shepparton and Melbourne.
For more information including timetables visit greatershepparton.com.au/whats-happening/news/news-article/!/456/post/flood-information-update-october-2022
UPDATE, 10am: Community meeting at Violet Town
A community meeting is being held at the Violet Town Community Hall at 5.30pm today.
Some more messages from the Shepparton ICC too;
Relief centres are open and have capacity at the Nathalia Community Centre, Deakin Reserve Shepparton, Seymour Aquatic Centre and the Ballantyne Centre Tatura.
Victoria Police confirms there are routes now allowing access from Shepparton to Bendigo, Benalla, and Melbourne (via GV Hwy alternate route > Midland Hwy > Shepparton).
The sandbag collection point at the Shepparton Showgrounds is now closed, collection points are open at Ardmona Factory, 770 Turnbull Rd, or Nathalia Community Centre, 42 Robertson St.
A single state-wide flood recovery hotline is 1800 560 760, for Victorians impacted by the October 2022 floods to call for help or assistance.
UPDATE, 9.55am: Key messages from the Shepparton ICC
Shepparton’s Incident Control Centre has put out some key messages this morning.
Evacuations are current for Barmah, Barmah East, Lower Moira and Bunbartha.
Emergency services are urging people not to be complacent with more rain forecast in coming days — the threat is not over.
Minor and major flooding is continuing across multiple river systems, with flood waters still progressing downstream.
Priorities for the ICC include;
– Continuing to conduct welfare checks for people in Mooroopna, Shepparton, Murchison East, Lower Moira and Barmah.
– The Causeway between Mooroopna and Shepparton is being assessed by VicRoads but will remain closed. Only emergency vehicles and essential services such as milk tankers, food and medical suppliers are permitted to cross.
– 12 schools across Mooroopna and Shepparton opened on Wednesday, some part-time and some full-time.
– For medicines and prescriptions, go to your local chemist not the hospital; all chemists are open in Shepparton and Mooroopna.
– Anyone who is out of food surrounded by floodwater, should contact SES on 132 500, culturally appropriate food is available on request.
On Wednesday, more than 100 emergency relief medical and food supplies were delivered to residents by boat.
Three rapid assessment teams will be visiting properties to report on damage and water levels.
UPDATE, 9.25am: Causeway remains closed to public
The causeway between Shepparton and Mooroopna remains closed to the general public today.
Reporter Patrick Morrow has just spoken to the Shepparton Incident Control Centre.
He’s been told it is still only open to essential workers and won’t be opened today, with VicRoads still undertaking assessments of the road.
It will be up to VicRoads to announce when the causeway is open to the public.
UPDATE, 9.20am: Horses rescued from Congupna
Senior journalist Murray Silby has this morning spoken to the owner of Krystelle Park Performance Horses stud Nealy Bennett.
She said more than 30 horses had been evacuated in a dramatic five-hour rescue from the Congupna stud overnight.
Her stock of hay to feed the horses was running out and she was unable to get more in, which had threatened the welfare of the animals.
"We are back on the farm making sure the house remains safe now," Miss Bennett said.
"Amazing community effort by the Goulburn Valley to get us all out."
We’ll have the full story online for you at some stage today.
UPDATE, 9am: Help is available
Whether you’ve started to clean up your property or are still waiting for the water to recede, recovery support is available.
Greater Shepparton City Council has compiled a page with important recovery support links.
It includes financial assistance for those who have had major damage to property or assets, lost income, or for farmers and businesses.
UPDATE, 8.30am: Coles deliver the goods
A Coles spokesperson said two trucks full of essential groceries were donated to the Shepparton Showgrounds relief centre on Wednesday.
“This is a donation from Coles of 40 pallets of groceries to the community and includes essentials like milk, pasta, rice, juice, coffee, tea, nappies, cleaning products and more,” the spokesperson said.
“Our team is doing everything they can to support those in the community who have been impacted by these floods”.
UPDATE, 8am: Scenes in Shepparton this morning
News photographer Megan Fisher was again up at the crack of dawn to see how the situation had evolved overnight.
More floodwater has receded from some areas, however we know there is still more to go.
Just before 1am this morning an updated watch and act was issued, which said the Goulburn River was at 11.15 metres at Shepparton and falling slowly.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology website, at 7.45am it was down to 10.96 metres, just below the major flood level of 11 metres.
UPDATE, 7.50am: Some V/Line services return
Good news this morning that some V/Line services are able to return today.
Scheduled train services are operating between Southern Cross and Seymour with coach services recommencing today between Shepparton and Southern Cross.
There is also a shuttle service running between Shepparton Station and the flood relief centre
However, coaches will not be stopping at Mooroopna or Murchison East due to residual flood water and accessibility issues.
Find the times for those services and more information on some additional coach services here.
Passengers across flood-affected parts of the regional network are encouraged to defer non-essential travel, with weather still impacting the state.
Those passengers who are needing to travel and where services are still operating within their region, should allow extra time for their journey.
UPDATE, Thursday 7.45am: ICYMI from the meeting last night
In case you missed it last night, Greater Shepparton City Council held a flood information forum.
Deputy editor Max Stainkamph went along and wrote up the below stories from the meeting.