Flood inquiry deadline

People within the Loddon Shire who were a ected by the October 2022 oods are encouraged to make a submission to an inquiry into the 2022 ood event, by the deadline of 8 May 2023.

Victoria’s Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee is urging people a ected by the oods to ensure they make a submission by the deadline, and tell the Committee what happened to them. The Committee will be investigating how prepared Victoria was, and how it handled the ood event.

Victoria’s response to major oods in October 2022 is the focus of a wideranging parliamentary inquiry. The inquiry will look at what caused or contributed to the ooding and the adequacy and e ectiveness of early warning systems.

The inquiry’s extensive terms of reference allow for examination of water catchments and ood plains including, but not limited to Avoca River, Barwon River, Broken River, Campaspe River, Goulburn River, Loddon River, Maribyrnong River and Murray River. The implementation and e ectiveness of the 2016 Victorian Floodplain Management Strategy and the implications of the ood event for future planning decisions will be key to the inquiry.

The Committee plans to hold public hearings in ood-a ected areas and will deliver its ndings and recommendations by 30 June 2024.

For more information and to make a written submission by 8 May visit https://new.parliament.vic.gov.au/ oodinquiry

Johnstone-McCloud), Lilly Heath (Ty Farmer), Molly Bolwell (Lachie James), Ireland Turner (John Hickey), Daisy Stinger (Jaspa Wendels), Madison Lenton (Brodie Wagner), Amy Tomic (Mason Hocking), Lilly Hocking (Colby Collins), Marissa Humbert (Harvey White), Macey Vinnicombe (Hayden Ray), Hollee Vinnicombe (Ned Cartwright), Ebony Twigg (Harrison Noble), Ava Maxted (Tyler Murphy), Marley Addlem (Fynn Clymo), Isabelle Morrison (Cade Tuohey), Abigail Johns (Tyler Rasmussen), Charlie Chuhaj (Connor Cullinan). Flowergirls and their partners were Mary Smith, Alexander Milgate, Jonty Hooke and Ilah Penny,

Town businesses and leaders have been calling for a 40kmh speed limit through town since a truck rollover on New Year’s Eve.

Thunder Swamp burn

A PLANNED burn reduced fuel loads over 91 hectares at Thunder Swamp, Tandarra on Sunday.

The Djaara traditional owner burn by Forest Fire Management Victoria was one of five across Loddon Mallee at the weekend.

Building farm spirit

Are you planning a community event to help the health and wellbeing of farmers and farm families impacted by the oods and ood recovery?

The National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) #BuildingFarmSpirit program is partnering with Victoria’s community groups, local agriculture industry, not-forpro t organisations, sporting clubs and individuals with grants of $500 to $1,500 for activities that provide social connection and mental health promotion for farmers and farming communities. Social connection is an important part of supporting farmer mental health.

You may like to host a barbeque lunch or dinner and get a local speaker who has lived experience to share their story, follow your AGM or regular meeting with a guest speaker, start a walking group, book-club or podcast community or tie an activity to a local festival.

If you have an idea for a community event or program that promotes social connection and wellbeing for farmers and farm families, go to www.farmerhealth.org.au