General News
6 October, 2022
Emergency services reassure community they’re working proactively to mitigate flood risks
With continued rain forecast over the coming days, emergency services are reassuring residents that they are prepared and working proactively in the event of flooding and other emergencies. Local emergency services including police, CFA and SES met...

With continued rain forecast over the coming days, emergency services are reassuring residents that they are prepared and working proactively in the event of flooding and other emergencies.
Local emergency services including police, CFA and SES met on Wednesday night as part of their continued collaboration and partnership in emergency management.
The meeting follows steady rainfall across the state and district over the past few days, with 13 millimetres of rain falling in Maryborough in the 24 hours to Thursday morning, while Dunolly and Avoca both saw 21 millimetres of rainfall, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
With continued rainfall forecast today and later next week, CFA Goldfields Group Officer Peter Higgins reassured community members that emergency services are working behind the scenes.
“There have been some concerns in the community that emergency services haven’t been doing enough to prepare for flood and other emergencies,” he said.
“We have held these meetings regularly and will continue to hold them regularly moving forward so all emergency services are up to date and on the same page when it comes to emergencies.
“We want to reassure the community that emergency services like CFA, SES and police are working in the background and are prepared if there is an emergency.”
Maryborough SES unit controller Darren Cooper said the SES are about to release an information package informing residents on how they can better prepare for flood and storms.
“Regardless of which agency is leading in the case of flood, fire or any other emergency, we all work as one and regardless of the colour of the uniform, we all have the same goal,” he said.
“To support that goal, our regional media liaison officer is putting together an information package that will make its way out through social media and other means.
“That information will provide the public with as much information as possible in regards to preparation for flood and storm events.
“Preparedness is the biggest thing — if a flood is coming you can’t stop it, but you can prepare as best you can.”
Maryborough Police Senior Sergeant Wendy Lambert said emergency services meet regularly so there is a coordinated response in an emergency incident.
“These meetings are about getting together to practice or implement strong working practices to coordinate the resources and operations through management, response and recovery activities,” she said.
“We know communication to the community is paramount in the event of an emergency and we have been working together on communications that will be forthcoming.”
Sen Sgt Lambert said emergency services are continually working to protect the community and encouraged residents to prepare for emergencies if they haven’t already.
“Agencies are working hard to ensure we’ve got the resources in place should we have an emergency event in this area,” she said.
“However, if members of the community have concerns about how best to manage their property they can contact the local SES.
“Be rest assured we are doing the best we can to plan for any emergency, however in the event of an emergency residents need to prepare themselves for possible evacuation and life rather than property will always be our priority.”
A minor flood warning has been issued on the VicEmergency App for the Loddon River and downstream of the Laanecoorie Reservoir, with river levels elevated along the Loddon River catchment and the reservoir itself spilling.
For information on how to prepare your property for flooding, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au.
To stay up-to-date on flood warnings in your area visit www.emergency.vic.gov.au/respond or download the app.