Related coverage:
Worried residents are asking when Wagga’s levee bank will be raised, with the city remaining at risk of a serious flood for at least three years.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Council has received tenders for the construction of stage one of the levee, but there’s no firm timeline on when crucial CBD protection will be built.
Tatton resident Philip Ward said the city held its collective breath last year when flood waters rose across the region, dredging up memories of the 2012 flood that saw the CBD evacuated.
“This city is such an essential part of the region and the idea that we’re gambling with our safety makes me shudder,” Mr Ward said.
“It was sheer luck that we had a dry November last year, if it had kept raining we’d have evacuated again or possibly seen the levee breached.
“There’s no more important issue for the city but it has just drifted along for years.”
On June 9, 2016, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce stood on the levee bank and declared the federal government would chip in $10 million for the levee upgrade. Riverina MP Michael McCormack confirmed that money was still on the table, waiting to be taken up.
“The last big flood we had, we dodged a bullet,” Mr McCormack said. “I know council is working closely with the state government… they’re doing everything they can to make progress.”
Council confirmed the levee upgrade was progressing and commercial operations manager Caroline Angel indicated a timeline would become clear later this year.
Mayor Greg Conkey said he hoped the entire project would be completed within three years, with the connection of the eastern and western parts of the levee.
“I understand the concerns of the community about how long it’s taken but we have been reliant on government funding and so now we’ve achieved that hopefully it will progress in a timely manner,” Councillor Conkey said.
“In 2007 the modelling showed we were protected for a one-in-60-year flood… it’s critical that’s increased to one-in-100.”
Wagga Business Chamber manager Anabel Williams said an upgraded levee would increase business confidence, particularly around the CBD.
“Having that (flood threat) hanging over the heads of business is detrimental and something we will continue to pressure all levels of government about,” Mrs Williams said.
