Mond

Monday, 14 August 2006

FLOOD RISK REPORT: SHOW US THE SUMS

Bill Sykes, Nationals Member for Benalla, last week in Parliament again called on the Bracks Government to make public the background information which supports claims that there will be minimal increase in flood risk to Benalla in the event that Lake Mokoan is decommissioned.
Dr Sykes said, “A recently published report by Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA) claims minimal increase in flood risk, but I am not convinced – I want to see the sums.
“Given that moderate floods in Benalla involve flows of around 40,000-60,000 Mega litres per day, loss of Lake Nillahcootie’s capacity to hold back up to 30,000 Mega litres must surely have a considerable impact.
“This is particularly significant when, as locals know, the biggest floods occur in Benalla when the Hollands and Broken peak at the same time.
“Further, flood peaks only last a few hours so any strategy which can delay a peak for 6-12 hours must have an impact.”
Dr Sykes continued, “The published report glosses over the role of a ‘free board’ of 10,000-30,000 Mega litres in Nillahcootie, choosing to highlight the lesser impact of the Mokoan inlet channel which is limited by a maximum flow of 2,400 Mega litres per day.
“The report further attempts to down play the role of Nillahcootie stating that only 29% of catchment is upstream of the lake.
“This reflects either a lack of local knowledge or yet another cover up.
“I have been told by long term upper Broken River catchment residents of flash floods associated with storms in the upper catchment.
“Who is correct? People who have lived in the area for decades and experienced several floods or so called ‘experts’ attempting to produce an outcome which supports the Bracks Government’s poorly based decision to decommission Lake Mokoan?
The ‘experts’ have already been forced to accept some of the claims by Frank Rankin (Weir keeper at Nillahcootie for 25 years 1967 - 1992) about the management of Lake Nillahcootie to reduce flood risks, albeit that this only occurred after repeated representations by concerned residents.
It would come as no surprise if Frank Rankin’s other claims about the substantial impact of the management of Nillahcootie on significantly lowering flood levels in Benalla are also shown to be correct. This flood protection will be lost if Lake Mokoan is decommissioned and Lake Nillahcootie is managed to retain the maximum possible amount of water.
Dr Sykes concluded, “I have requested that GBCMA present this information at a public meeting in Benalla.
“I look forward to their conclusion of minimal increase in flood risk being subjected to intensive public scrutiny in order to ensure that the true level of increased risk of flooding is established.
“And then the community can decide whether this increased risk is acceptable and if so, under what circumstances.”
Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989