Controversial levee discussed in Premier’s visit

By Adair Winder

Oct 31, 2022

Man of the people: Brett Thomson speaks with Premier Daniel Andrews and Emergency Management Victoria Commissioner Andrew Crisp. Photo by Steve Huntley

The disputed Echuca levee was one of the key issues raised by community members during Premier Daniel Andrews’ visit to Echuca.

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Brett and Anna Thomson, who live on the wrong side of the levee, met Mr Andrews at their restaurant, Monkee and Co.

The husband and wife said they found Mr Andrews to be approachable and felt that he, Emergency Management Victoria Commissioner Andrew Crisp and state Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes took on board what they said.

The Thomsons raised their concerns for the people on the wrong side of the levee, saying there had been no ‘’compassion’’ from the council.

Representing every community: Njernda chief executive Tracey Dillon with Premier Daniel Andrews and Njernda director family services Aunty Hazel Hudson. Photo by Steve Huntley

“You can’t say, ‘okay, you had your evacuation warning, it’s a flood-prone area so now you’re on your own’,” Ms Thomson said.

“You can’t just leave people, knowing that there is people there, and not do anything to help them.

“No-one’s checked in on them. It’s just wrong.”

Mr Thomson said he told the Premier that council needed to stop burying its head in the sand and be accountable.

Spending about an hour with Mr Andrews, the pair also discussed the overwhelming generosity of local residents and how to build a more flood-resistant community once floodwaters receded.

Giving thanks: SES members gathered at the Echuca CFA brigade to meet with Premier Daniel Andrews, state Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes and Emergency Management Victoria Commissioner Andrew Crisp. Photo by Steve Huntley

Mr Thomson highlighted that there should be local wardens for each area in the community and that there was “no leader” during the sandbagging process.

Njernda authorities also took the opportunity to speak with the Premier about the need for tailored recovery support to get First Nations families and businesses back on their feet, the challenges for First Nations people who don’t have the funds to get contents insurance and the devastating impacts of homes being lost at Cummeragunja.

Ms Symes said the purpose of their visit was to thank first responders and hear from displaced community members temporarily residing in the Echuca Evacuation Centre.

“Some are concerned about how the insurance process will run,” she said.

“But all in all, everyone seems really well supported at the relief centre. The council are doing a fantastic job connecting people to the supports that are available, particularly financial support, and by helping them with registering for temporary accommodation.”

Ms Symes revealed she had encountered her own tragedies when it came to floods, with her home flooded in 1993 when she was 15.

Ms Symes said physical clean-up was always the first priority because it was an enormous task.

Meet and greet: Echuca CFA’s Jordan Simpson with Emergency Management Victoria Commissioner Andrew Crisp and Echuca CFA’s Colin Atkinson. Photo by Steve Huntley

“That involves making sure people’s houses are cleaned out and are deemed safe, making sure there’s no mould, making sure people aren’t trying to move asbestos on their own and removing the debris from the streets,” she said.

“But then also really making sure that support services are around. Mental health and community wellbeing is also a really important part of the recovery.”

Ms Symes said the government would be applying a community-led model to the recovery process, meaning it would be delivering support based on the advice of the community.

One of her major priorities has been setting up the Elmore Events Centre as a temporary accommodation village.