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Wellington Shire Flood Situation

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Flood levels are continuing to drop across the Shire. King tides, however, have meant continuing pressure on Loch Sport.

By Wellington Shire Council - 4th July 2007 - Back to News

All towns except Licola are accessible.

Lake Reeve is filling around Loch Sport creating problems in surrounding low lying areas.

Flood levels in Sale have declined significantly, but have yet to return to normal river levels.

The Princes Highway is open. The South Gippsland Highway remains closed between Sale and Longford. The Licola Road is closed indefinitely due to major damage.

Other road closures in the Shire are:

Myrtlebank-Fulham Rd

Canal Rd

Bengworden Rd

Valencia Crk-Briagolong Gorge Rd

Stewarts Rd (Weirs Crossing)

Heyfield-Upper Maffra Rd (Hagens Bridge)

Target Crk Rd

Glencairn Rd

Weir/Lannigan Rds (Lannigans Bridge)

Tamboritha Rd

20 Acre Bridge

McKinnons Rd

Some of these roads and bridges have suffered major damage and will be closed for some time. Damage is being assessed on flooded roads as flood levels drop.

Drivers are reminded not to attempt to drive through flood waters due to the possibility or washed out roads or bridges.

Access to Licola is only available via bush tracks and a permit from DSE is required before travelling.

Clean up crews are operating in Newry and Tinamba. Anyone requiring assistance with clean-up or health issues should contact Wellington Shire Council Recovery Help Line 1300 137 218. Teams from DHS and Centrelink are active in the area. Help is also available via DHS and Centrelink offices. Centrelink flood assistance line is 180 2211. Emergency payments can be made.

DPI are operating a farming recovery help line - 1800 729 834. They are also visiting farms in the area to assess damage and needed assistance.

The Relief Centres have closed. All assistance will be provided through the Wellington Shire Recovery Help Line.

The Municipal Emergency Co-ordination Centre (MECC) is continuing to operate.

Glenmaggie Weir

SRW advise that Lake Glenmaggie is full.

Damage assessment - Infrastructure

As expected, falling waters is revealing significant road and bridge damage. In a number of cases major damage has occurred, which will require roads or bridges to be rebuilt. Teams are assessing current damage. Minor repair and restoration work is underway.

Damage assessment – Production

It is too early to estimate produce and business losses but they are significant.

The loss of the Licola Road is preventing the removal of 800,000 cubic metres of timber recovery. This will adversely affect major timber processors relying on this source material.

Major impacts have been felt in horticulture where whole crops have been washed away.

Major losses to fencing, shedding and fodder have occurred.

Livestock losses are unknown, but are expected to be relatively light to moderate.

Tourism is obviously badly affected. The floods come at the start of the school holiday period. This follows the summer bushfires which affected tourism during the last major holiday period.

Wellington Shire Council is assessing other losses and arranging for a detailed report on the economic impacts of the floods.

Other matters

Public transport is now functioning.

Residents will be allowed free dumping of flood debris at Council transfer stations and Kilmany tip. Arrangements should be made through the Wellington Shire Recovery Help Line.

In the first instance, any recovery inquiries should be directed through the Shire on 1300 366 244.

 

 


Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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