Media Release

Phone: (03) 5772 0333 Fax: (03) 5772 2291

Date: 13 September 2010

Contact Person: !!br0ken!!Therese Morris

File Ref: 04/02/11

For Release: Immediate

Clean up continues and residents urged to take care

Clean up operations from the recent floods across the Murrindindi Shire could cost Council up to
$1 million following damage assessments in the past week.

CEO Margaret Abbey said Council work crews had been working outside of hours to clean up
fallen trees, make emergency repairs to roads and prioritise drain clearing works.

“Our community services staff and council volunteers have also provided a range of assistance
to those more vulnerable in our community,” Ms Abbey said.

“Our Aged and Disability Unit activated the Emergency Risk Register to inform residents of the
weather conditions and possible flooding. This resulted in a number of people being assisted
because of damage to their properties because of drainage issues, fallen trees or those who
needed to be evacuated because of rising waters.

“We have also been assisting the Department of Human Services staff who have been providing
flood-affected residents with information on emergency assistance and possible grant funding.”

Ms Abbey said damage to Council property was significant and wide-spread.

“The rain has created plenty of repair work, and while there are no major structural problems
that are Council specific, the cost of repairs will continue to mount in terms of road and drainage
repairs,” she said.

It includes:

 $250,000 for road and footpath washouts

 $170,000 for drainage repairs and clearing
 $150,000 for tree clearing

The estimated cost of works identified at present is more than $700,000 but due to large area
affected the assessment of the storm/flood damage is still in progress with a more accurate
assessment of the impact and the repair costs expected at the end of the month.

Ms Abbey said it was important residents took extra care during the spate of wet weather and
made sure their properties were secured.

“I would encourage land and home owners to inspect their properties, particularly in relation to
trees. The prolonged drought and now the saturation of the ground has seen a number trees
falling across the shire.

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“We have received several calls from people wanting information on tree removal.
Unfortunately we do not have jurisdiction over trees on private property, however if people
would like advice we are more than willing to assist.

“The present conditions are proving difficult and across the shire we are experiencing a high
number of trees being uprooted because of the ground conditions and high winds.”

Ms Abbey said that it was important that people took care in the wet conditions.

“I urge caution as the wet conditions are certainly presenting a challenge on our roads and
across the shire.”

End

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