Emma Solomano, her partner Mat Keyzer and daughter Azalea were three of the 100-plus ‘‘Bucket Brigade’’ to make the Sunday morning journey to Knowsley as part of the community protest at the lack of progress on mitigation measures to prevent a repeat of the October 2022 floods.
For the first time, they surveyed the spillway that was responsible for the destruction of the community where they now run a small business.
They share concerns about the future of the town and understand the emotions that overflow with residents whenever the weather forecast includes details of any substantial rainfall.
“I think it is important to be involved. Until the community knows that what happened last year won’t happen again, we can’t move on,” Emma, who operates Mackay St business Twist and Sprout, said.
“We live in Rochester, but our house wasn’t flooded. It was moved on to our block and built on 1.5 metre-high stumps three years ago.”
Emma and Mat were among those evacuated from the town, having moved into their home just before the arrival of the Lake Eppalock overflow into the town.
Their property was inundated with 1.2 metres of water.
“We are right behind Murray Goulburn and the new regulations were what stopped the water going into our home,” Emma said.
“Every one of our neighbours were flooded and a lot of them are not even back now, nine months later.”
Emma opened her eco shop in April, having a background in natural resources and with a horticulturalist partner.
She and Mat had never been to Lake Eppalock before and said they hoped for some major changes as part of the Victorian flood inquiry, which they both provided submissions to early in the process.
“People can’t move on, physically or mentally, with the threat of another flood hanging over the town. There is a feeling of being stuck,” Emma said.
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