In opening his address he remarked on the widespread flooding across eastern Australia and noted that for places such as Echuca and Shepparton the experience was full of uncertainties and ‘what ifs’ as they waited for the inevitable floodwaters to arrive.
“The impact of floods like this is often brutal,” he said.
“Tragically, lives have been lost, livelihoods destroyed.
“Supply chains to markets have been broken, bridges and roads washed away. Local governments estimate there is $2.5 billion in road damage.
“We've seen devastating images of the impacts of blackwater on our native fish.
“The damage to the built and natural environment is captured in the headlines and the drone footage widely shared on social media — it's very visible and front of mind.”
Mr McConville said the clean-up and recovery took a significant toll — and not many cameras were still rolling then.
“And what is invisible are the social impacts,” he said.
“‘Normal life' is gone within minutes, and it strains relationships.”
