Around 30 Dunolly residents gathered for a post-flood debriefing and feedback session with emergency services on Wednesday night.

Due to its location and waterways, Dunolly was cut off from surrounding towns during the flood event over October 12 to 15 and some homes were inundated after more rain fell on already water-logged ground over the weekend.

Local SES, CFA, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and Central Goldfields Shire Council members dropped into the Dunolly Town Hall this week to give a run down of how the recent events played out.

“From the information the Bureau of Meteorology and the government put out we were expecting Armageddon, but somehow we managed to avoid most of that,” Maryborough SES unit controller Darren Cooper said during the meeting.

“Unfortunately there were some people who copped some water damage to their properties but on the whole it was nothing like the 2011 floods. We’re currently aware of three houses directly impacted from inundation. There’s also a great deal more properties and farmland which had damage.”

Residents were able to give feedback on how the emergency was handled. The issue of Dunolly’s missing SES unit — which has been out of action since March last year following a risk assessment into the unit’s capacity, culture and working relationships — was raised by multiple community members.

The operational pause is expected to last for another 18 months however the SES confirmed a unit would return, with community consultation. In the meantime, the CFA have been acting as a support agency for the SES during floods.

One resident noted that some community and CFA members were forced to use their personal vehicles and trailers when transporting sandbags — Mr Cooper said if in a future emergency local members need more equipment, they can contact their chain of command.

Clearer communication on where sand will be located for sand bags during floods was also raised, and one resident suggested having an ASL interpreter present at community meetings.

Another resident raised the issue that many local drains and creeks have been blocked up with debris and trees, and that it was unclear who was responsible for them.

“In terms of drains, council is predominately responsible for clearing them,” Central Goldfields Shire Council general manager infrastructure assets and planning Matthew Irving said on the night.

“We’re a large shire and we’re trying to unblock as many spots as possible, but we’re happy to come and look at any specific drains residents are concerned about.

“I don’t want to sound too bureaucratic but some state roads — like the Maryborough-Dunolly Road — are the responsibility of Regional Roads Victoria when it comes to clearing debris. We will pass on this information to them.”

While it’s unclear what kind of rainfall the coming weeks hold, Mr Cooper’s message was to be vigilant.

“There’s another four to six weeks of this wet weather. You need to maintain the preparedness you have now. Be vigilant, watch the weather and the emergency warnings,” he said.

“There are some elderly members of the community who don’t have access to the electronic resources where warnings are issued. We’re encouraging people to identify their family, friends and neighbours who aren’t as connected — when you get information, reach out to them and form an information network.”

The meeting was recorded and is available on the Central Goldfields Shire Facebook page.