Sections of temporary levee removed

By Bransen Gibson

Dec 5, 2022

Hole in the wall: An excavator removes a section of the temporary levee in Echuca’s east along Pakenham St. Photo: Bransen Gibson

It was a groundbreaking day last Tuesday in Echuca’s east — literally — with sections of the temporary levee being removed.

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Work to take out certain parts of the 3km dirt wall began on November 29, giving some residents access to their homes by car for the first time in more than six weeks.

While the levee will largely remain in place, chunks have been cleared in front of homes on Pakenham St and Bowen St, with traffic able to drive on the inside of the wall along Goulburn Rd.

Some pumps that had been used to shift water back over the wall have also been removed.

For the residents on the north side of the levee, the work is a step towards normality.

Some living on the wrong side were forced to walk over the huge wall to buy things such as groceries and other essential supplies, or to get to work and to school.

Now, almost all the residents will have access to their homes via car, hopefully making everyday life easier.

The pumps and sections of the wall that have been removed are being stored nearby, with plans to reinstall them should the water levels rise again.

“Plans are in place to reinstate the flood protection should it be required at short notice,” incident controller Sharon Unthank said.

With the potential for more heavy rain in the future, Ms Unthank said there was still a possibility of flooding down the road.

“It is important to note that the risk of further flooding to Echuca is still present and the public should not become complacent,” she said.

“Due to the La Niña weather pattern, the forecast is still for future rain events over the summer. This means that most of the temporary flood protection which has been installed will remain for the foreseeable future.”