Koondrook levee - Stage 1 design finalised

Published on 28 November 2024

The design for the first stage of the construction of a flood protection levee at Koondrook has been finalised.

Earlier this year Gannawarra Shire Council received $797,559 from the Federal Government’s National Emergency Management Agency to support the first in a series of planned stages to construct a levee network to mitigate the risk of riverine flooding in the Koondrook township.

As part of the first stage of works, the height of Gunbower Parade between Island Road and Keene Street will be raised by between 30 centimetres and 50 centimetres, with supporting drainage infrastructure to be installed to provide protection from flood events where water levels reach the 1% Annual Exceedance Probability level.

This section of road will also be sealed, with connections between the road and adjoining properties to be raised to enable vehicle access.

“These works will provide peace of mind for Koondrook residents during times of major flooding,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.

“As we saw during the 2022 floods, there was uncertainty regarding current flood protection, with a temporary levee constructed along this section of Gunbower Parade to protect properties.

“These permanent works will eliminate the need to install temporary levees along Gunbower Creek, which can take considerable time to remove and reduce access to neighbouring roads for residents.”

The raising of Gunbower Parade to provide protection from future floods was one of the options identified during development of the Koondrook Township Flood Study. Conducted in 2019 thanks to funding from Emergency Management Victoria’s 2017/18 Natural Disaster Resilience Grant Scheme, the study identified levees already in existence and areas where flood mitigation improvements are required.

Once fully completed, the Koondrook Township Levee will extend along the banks of Gunbower Creek and the Murray River from Gunbower Parade to Cassidy Lane.

Council will keep residents updated on construction of Stage 1 of the project and on advocacy for financial support to complete the entire length of the levee.

ABOVE: A temporary flood protection levee was built along Gunbower Parade, Koondrook during the 2022 floods.