The works are an important step forward for the Mooroopna community.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
It takes little more than a downpour to have these Mooroopna streets underwater.
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The Lenne St area in Mooroopna became inundated with water during the 2022 riverine flooding event, and subsequently, during heavy rain events has flooded quickly.
The area was identified as needing urgent improvements by Greater Shepparton City Council to address the stormwater drainage issues after the major flooding event, and has just awarded the contract at the March council meeting to make this happen.
The $834,988.44 contract for stage one was awarded to local company Jarvis Delahey Contractors Pty Ltd, with works set to begin in the next few weeks.
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali made the announcement at Lenne St in Mooroopna.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Mayor Shane Sali said stage one was an important step for the Mooroopna community.
“I remember standing in Lenne St during the peak of the October 2022 flood and seeing first-hand the impact of the water on houses in and around the area,” he said.
“These residents suffered significantly during this flood event, and subsequent heavy rain events, with the drainage infrastructure unable to cope with these extreme amounts of water which occur in such short periods.
“We are building back better to ensure that the investment that takes place ... makes sure that when we have those rain events, that water moves as it should, and the community can get around their neighbourhoods as they rightly deserve to.”
Stage one works include enhancing the retention capacity of Smyth Reserve, raising pavement and upgrading the underground stormwater system in Howe St, and the relocation of utilities.
Council manager engineering and assets Ben Gannon said the upgrade would ease the pressure on current drainage assets, allowing water to flow through and drain away quicker, without sitting stagnant like it currently does.
“Stage one works will allow us to enhance the retention capacity of Smyth Reserve to allow it to hold more water,” he said.
“It will also see drainage upgrades undertaken in Howe St to mitigate the current flooding issues.”
Throughout the process, council has engaged with the community, conducting multiple consultations with residents around the Lenne St area to understand their concerns and hear their first-hand experiences during extreme weather events.
During these discussions, council discussed the proposed design upgrades and the mitigation strategies included in the upgrade to help relieve the pressure on the drainage system.
Cr Paul Wickham, Goulburn River Ward, said the beginning of the works would be good news for residents.
“The upgrade works are a long time coming, and I know many residents in and around the Lenne St area will be relieved to see these works get under way,” he said.
One Lenne St resident, John Pleming, has lived in the area for almost 60 years, and has been impacted by many flooding events, including the one in 2022.
He said he was glad to see the works beginning, but that stormwater wasn’t his main concern.
“Well, it’s all positive, but this is more in relation to stormwater; my concern is the river, and how we do flood-proof Mooroopna,” he said.
“The amount of water in here (in 2022) compared to what was coming through the pipes and the river itself, was more minor.
“If I had my way, all the money should be spent on keeping the river out of the towns.”
Stage one of the works will begin in the next few weeks, with works set to be completed by August.
The full benefit of the drainage upgrade project will be felt once stage one and two are completed, with the design and construction for stage two expected to be completed in the 2025/26 financial year.
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