You are not currently logged in.
Logged in members of the Greater Shepparton website can store a collection of commonly accessed web links here.
Log in here, or if you are not yet a member, you can sign up here.
City of Greater Shepparton
URL: http://www.greatershepparton.com.au/news/20474.html
Please note: this is an archived news article release.
This article was published on 8 March 2010. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.
Council responds to severe storm damage
News article released on Monday 8 March 2010
Greater Shepparton suffered significant damage in Sunday evening’s storm, with trees down all across the municipality.
Greater Shepparton City Council's Manager Operations Greg Sidebottom said Council had more than 20 operations staff working throughout Sunday and Monday to alleviate the immediate dangers of fallen trees and flooded roads.
"Council is very proud of the rapid response from its maintenance works teams who worked tirelessly into Sunday night, in unfavourable conditions, to make roads and parks safe for residents," Mr Sidebottom said.
"Trees had brought down powerlines in Raftery Road, St Georges Road and Archer Street, resulting in power outages to many households.
"Initial reports of trees down in rural areas of Zeerust, Toolamba and Murchison North, resulted in Council having to close several roads for driver safety.
"Localised flooding occurred where drainage systems were overloaded by the intense rainfall, which far exceeded the drainage design parameters. All of Council's pumping systems and flood retardation systems performed as expected and residents were patient as the extreme flooding took several hours to subside.
"Nevertheless, the worst flooding was in the Lenne Street and Rodney Park Drive areas of Mooroopna, where the water was almost half a metre deep.
"The roof at the Shepparton Velodrome was completely blown off and will be inspected by Council's Building Surveyor for safety before any repairs will be able to be effected.
"The Shepparton Aerodrome lost power and emergency measures were enacted to install temporary lighting to assist any planes landing.
"Due to the influx of storm damage related green waste, it is expected that Council will accept green waste free of charge at Council's Transfer Stations until later in the week to allow residents time to clean up."
For opening hours at Council's Transfer Stations, please visit www.greatershepparton.com.au/residents/waste/transferstations/.
Council's Emergency Recovery Manager Simon Rose said Council's Emergency Case Management Service would be operating from 8.30am Tuesday 9 March, for anyone needing emergency support.
"This service will specifically support vulnerable people like the aged, people with disability or mobility issues, who need assistance to source essential food and medical supplies," Mr Rose said.
Residents can call Council's Emergency Case Management Service on (03) 5832 9785.
"Council's Emergency response team doorknocked around 100 homes in Raftery Road and Mitchell Road who experienced long power outage delays on Monday 8 March, to ensure any vulnerable people received emergency support," Mr Rose said.
The Patricia Smith Children's Centre has also suffered severe damage and will be closed on Tuesday 9 March 2010.
"We anticipate that this is the only Council childcare centre to be closed at this stage. Most other centres will open as usual, but outside play may be limited at some centres for a couple of days due to storm damage," Mr Rose said.
For any general enquiries related to storm damage contact Council on (03) 5832 9700. For power issues contact Powercor and for emergency assistance contact the SES.