The study, conducted by WMA Water and adopted by council in November 2024 sent shockwaves through the building industry and the community when potential changes to the building code and massive hikes in insurance costs became apparent.
After questions were raised about the data and claims that local knowledge was ignored, Venant Solutions conducted a peer review which confirmed the study’s findings and use of best practice methodology.
With the study mandated by the NSW Government, Federation Council’s hands are tied and the process has progressed to the next phase, the Flood Risk Management Study and Plan.
About 15 members of the Save Mulwala Action Group (SMAG) attended a public forum at Tuesday’s Federation Council meeting.
Representing the group, Peter Seeliger reiterated to councillors that they believed the data used in the flood study to be flawed.
More than 50 percent of the Mulwala population, 1074 people, have signed a petition demanding action.
Mr Seeliger insisted that their action was not a protest, but a warning that the community is suffering and that trust is eroding.
“The community has reached breaking point and is being repeatedly ignored,” he said.
“The council is relying on modelling that is demonstrably wrong … it’s actively harming people.
“We’re dealing with insurance hikes families can’t afford, property values dropping, development refusals, planning restrictions, and stress, anxiety and fear.”
Save Mulwala Action Group says the Corowa, Howlong, Mulwala Flood Study cannot be defended and is demanding accountability and respect.
Mr Seeliger told councillors that if the discrepancies were not corrected, a community meeting would be held to consider what course of action could be taken.
At the ensuing council meeting, Mayor Cheryl Cook made it clear that only the NSW Parliament could change the legislation and that’s where any changes need to happen.
Councillors resolved to continue to work with SMAG and the Mulwala community to ensure it does all it can to address the impacts.
Council will seek support from SMAG and the community to continue lobbying the Murray Darling Basin Authority, Goulburn Murray Water and the Federal Government to investigate work to improve water flow through Yarrawonga Weir, and to release the Dam Safety Emergency Management Plan.
What residents want
1. Pause reliance on the study until it has been independently reviewed.
2. Commission a full independent audit of the modelling, assumptions, and data inputs.
3. Correct the study so it reflects real-world hydrology and actual historical events.
4. Restore community confidence by ensuring planning decisions are based on accurate information.
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