MITCHELL Shire Council leaders have warned residents ‘will be affected for some time’ as the region recovers from last week’s floods.
Council has operated an emergency relief station from the Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre since Thursday afternoon, with nearly 150 people sheltering there on the first night.
Mayor Bill Chisholm spoke with people at the centre on Friday and said some had arrived with only the clothes on their backs.
“I was talking to some people who were staying in the motel and they had about five minutes to get out – it came up that quick that they were amazed,” he said.
“I’ve heard different stories from people who got home from a shift, went to bed and woke up to the sound of people splashing around in the water.
“You feel for people who have had water through their homes and businesses who have been impacted in the centre of town.”
Community organisations including Christian charity Rapid Relief Team and Seymour Goulburn Lions Club supported council in operating the relief centre, with Department of Family, Fairness and Housing staff onsite to assist with emergency payments.
Ferguson Plarre Bakehouse Seymour’s Kristy Barnes was at the centre on Friday supplying pies alongside Rapid Relief Team’s Richard Grace.
Cr Chisholm said the work of different community groups to support council had been exemplary.
“We’ve had a lot of staff volunteer to do overtime to help out. All the community have given really great support, including the Lions club,” he said.
“A lot of people banded together and helped out. There was that real country sense of pulling together to help your neighbour, and it was great to see.”
More than 300 people attended an at-times heated community information meeting at Seymour College on Sunday afternoon that covered topics such as waste and recycling collection and impacts on other council services.
Council officials were unable to answer some questions, particularly in regards to rubbish disposal, with reports the Seymour tip was flooded.
Residents also voiced looting concerns with unknown cars driving through flood waters, although police have not confirmed any instances of looting.
A police spokesperson said the Seymour Police Station had been closed due to the flooding but there had been no reduction in the number of officers servicing the town.
Other concerns at the meeting included the potential for further rain later this week and the fact that floodwaters have been slow to recede.
Cr Chisholm said on Friday that Seymour was ‘in the lap of the gods’ as far as further rain was concerned.
“[The water is] going to take a while to recede, but there’s more rain coming so we definitely can’t be complacent,” he said.
“We want people to continue to use common sense and not drive through floodwaters.”
Council chief executive Brett Luxford urged people to be patient as clean-up efforts progressed.
“Council is working with the Victorian Government to support residents and businesses who are cleaning up flood-damaged properties,” he said.
“Council officers are working through inspections of major infrastructure impacted by flood waters.
“While we are doing our best to open every road in a timely manner, there will be some areas that will remain closed for some time due to excessive damage and safety risks to the community.”
People can use a VicRoads interactive map and the VicEmergency website to stay up to date in relation to Mitchell Shire road closures.
People who have lost pet or animal as a result of flooding can contact council’s local laws missing pets number on 0476 673 481.
Online donation platform GIVIT is calling for donations of items, services and funds for people impacted by the floods across Victoria.
People can visit www.givit.org.au/storms-and-flooding to find out more information.
• Late Monday, the State Government announced the waste levy for flood waste would be waived.