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Licola Village wins its battleThe Licola Wilderness Village has won its long-running battle to reinstate a levee bank that protects it from major floods on the adjacent Macalister River. By Kevin Balshaw - 13th May 2009 - Back to News The Licola Wilderness Village has won its long-running battle to reinstate a levee bank that protects it from major floods on the adjacent Macalister River.
The Member for Eastern Victoria, Philip Davis, said the village’s need for substantial long-term flood protection had finally been recognised almost two years after it was devastated in the record flood of June, 2007.
Moves to replace the levee meant commonsense had prevailed over bureaucratic resistance, Mr Davis said.
"Despite protracted negotiations and my repeated badgering of the Government in Parliament, a month ago there was still no money available and it appeared the Licola Village and its Lions organisation management were facing the task of raising $100,000 to rebuild the levee," he said.
"But that changed during a further visit by the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, which has since transported 4500 cubic metres of rock to the site to build the levee back to its pre-flood level.
"From subsequent discussions with the village’s operations manager, Adam Wake, to say the local management is happy at the outcome is an understatement.
"The village will now be able to take forward bookings for school holidays and next Christmas with confidence."
Mr Davis said the levee would be rebuilt around the village’s oval, which was substantially eroded in the 2007 flood, and the oval would be laser graded to the levee as an additional safeguard.
The rock bank will provide solid protection against future floods and prevent erosion such as occurred in 2007 and created a waterfall effect that caused extensive damage to the grounds and outdoor facilities.
The sports facilities that were adjacent to the oval have been rebuilt on higher ground as a further protective measure.
Mr Davis said the Government dithered over the future of the Licola Village after the flood damage and the catchment authority cried poor and expressed reservations about restoring the levee on the basis the concept of levee banks along streams was contrary to current catchment management policy.
But the protective levee at Licola had been in place since Lions set up the village 39 years ago to conduct outdoors programs for disadvantaged children from Victoria and interstate.
As a result of delays with restoration work, the flood and a subsequent mudslide and torrential downpour forced the village to cancel its 2007–08 summer camps for the first time in its history.
Its future appeared uncertain because without the levee the village would be exposed to any flooding on the Macalister River.
"The change of heart is a welcome development—for the Licola township, the village and Lions and the countless young people who will continue to get the opportunity of a healthy break in the magnificent alpine surrounds of Licola," Mr Davis said.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: kevin.balshaw@parliament.vic.gov.au
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