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Have your voice heard at flood inquiry: O’Keeffe

By Shepparton News

Apr 13, 2023

Under water: Parkside Dve in Shepparton during the floods in October 2022. Photo: Megan Fisher Photo by Megan Fisher

State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe is urging local residents to have their say in the Victorian Government’s inquiry into the 2022 floods.

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Ms O’Keeffe said a parliamentary committee would be investigating the state’s readiness for — and response to — the devastating floods across northern Victoria in October.

She said the inquiry would be focusing on the flood event as a whole, and cover reactions and preparedness from emergency services, government policy, flood mitigation strategies and the significant impact on the communities affected.

Ms O’Keeffe joined Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh and Shadow Minister for Water Tim McCurdy at Loch Garry this week to experience the “incredible impact” of recent flooding.

Ms O’Keeffe said it was “only one of many examples of the need for those impacted directly to make a submission”.

Ms O’Keeffe said the committee would be holding public hearings in Shepparton and people would have the opportunity to have their say on Wednesday, September 13.

“Having a parliamentary committee hold a public hearing in our community is just the start of the road to recovery and the campaign to better prepare our region and state against future flooding events,” Ms O’Keeffe said.

“We must speak up and ensure that the significant impact to our region is understood.”

The committee will be also holding public hearings in Rochester, Echuca, Seymour and Melbourne.

More information about the public hearings, including venues and list of witnesses, will appear on the hearings tab on Parliament of Victoria’s website as they come to hand at https://new.parliament.vic.gov.au/floodinquiry