Flooding creates traffic chaos and road closures

By Gabriel Garcia

Nov 17, 2022

Minor flooding caused disruptions in the Cobram-Barooga area last week leading to the Goulburn Valley Hwy being cut off between Koonoomoo and Tocumwal.

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Berrigan Shire Council issued a flood update on Wednesday afternoon, November 16, informing local residents that the Stan Collie Causeway would be reduced to one lane.

Traffic between Cobram and Barooga slowed to a crawl on Thursday, November 17 with some motorists on social media voicing concerns about wait times, or otherwise pleading for non-essential drivers to rethink plans.

Traffic going in to Victoria had been banked up down Vermont St.

Frustration: The Stan Collie Causeway has been reduced to one lane, causing delays to motorists from both Victoria and NSW. Photo by Gabriel Garcia

Kangaroos were alsospotted taking shelter near the causeway and Berrigan Shire Council advised motorists to take extra care.

Meanwhile flooding occurred on the road from Koonoomoo to Tocumwal, near the Tocumwal Bends.

Part of the lane leading to Tocumwal at Tocumwal Bends was covered with water, leading some drivers to use the lane leading to Koonoomoo.

The advice from the Bureau of Meteorology at the time was that waters around Tocumwal would peak at 7.3m on Wednesday, November 16 and stay that way until Friday.

Battling through: Flooding along the Tocumwal Bends between Koonoomoo and Tocumwal has forced drivers to battle their way through. Photo by Gabriel Garcia

The SES advises the public to never walk, ride or drive through floodwater and is reminding the public that it takes only 15cm of water to float a car.

As of Friday October 19 both lanes of the Stan Collie Causeway had been reopened.

You can keep up to date with road closures via traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au or on the VicTraffic App.