Maribyrnong River Flood Review update

The consultation and submissions stage of the Maribyrnong River Flood Review is now complete. 

This process provided a vital opportunity for the community to participate in the Independent Review into the causes and contributors of the Maribyrnong River flood event in October 2022.

More than 60 submissions were received during the consultation period, which ran from 17 January to 17 March 2023 and included six community information sessions. Feedback received during this process will be provided to the new Chair of the Independent Review Panel for consideration.

Former Federal and Victorian Supreme Court Judge Tony Pagone AM will now lead the review. Mr Pagone is a highly respected former judicial officer and King’s Counsel whose experience includes serving as Chair of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety in 2019. Following his appointment, the supporting Panel experts can now be finalised with the Chair.

All submissions will now be provided to the Panel Chair to commence the Panel’s work. Submissions are also now available to view on Melbourne Water’s Maribyrnong River Flood Review YourSay page, with personal information redacted.

All personal stories collected via the submission and community consultation process will form a summary report that will also be shared with the Panel and relevant agencies. This report will also be made available online.

The Independent Review Panel can now commence consideration of submissions, and the examination of:   

• The causes and contributors to the Flood Event in the urban catchment, including any potential impacts of the Flemington Racecourse Flood Wall on the extent and duration of the Flood Event;
• Any impact of prior works or activities in the urban catchment on flood levels and extent during the Flood Event; and
• Whether any other matters may have significantly contributed to the flood event.

The Panel may also meet with submitters before finalising its report, with findings and any recommendations to be provided to Melbourne Water later in 2023. Melbourne Water will submit the independent report to the Victorian Government and release it publicly at the conclusion of the process.