More than opposed Racing Victoria鈥檚 (RV) proposal to build a flood聽wall around Flemington Racecourse because it would exacerbate flood risk in the area.
As severe flooding hit Victoria on October 14, their concerns were confirmed as the flood聽wall forced water in to housing developments and industrial estates along the valley floor.
The State Emergency Services confirmed the next day that more than 245 homes in Maribyrnong were inundated by flood water. showed the Flemington Race Course grounds were unaffected.
Flood-affected residents are angry, saying the floodgate wall made the flood impacts worse. Some told that it had directed flood water away from the natural floodplain into their homes.
Socialist Alliance (SA) Merri-bek councillor Sue Bolton told 91自拍论坛 the flood聽wall should never have been built.
鈥淭he community knew what would likely happen, and it did. It鈥檚 yet another example of a government that prioritises big business interests over the livelihoods of working聽people.鈥
Bolton, who is standing for SA in Pascoe Vale, said it was heartening to see residents come together to clean up the flood-affected homes and coordinate their efforts through the 聽Facebook group.
Their anger was further triggered when Dale Monteith, Racing Club chief executive and chairman of Harness Racing Victoria, tweeted praise that the flood wall preserved Flemington Race Course. The tweet has since been deleted.
Andrew Jones, CEO of Horse Racing Victoria (HRV), responded to criticism saying it to protect its property, even while acknowledging it had 鈥渦nintended consequences鈥 for near-by residents.
A discussion has started about whether HRV should pay compensation to flood-affected residents. Carbone Lawyers will be looking into a potential class action against the Victoria Racing鈥檚 wall.
criticised Labor for approving the flood聽wall years ago. She said it was an example of 鈥減rotecting the profits of the horse racing and gambling industry above the needs of residents鈥. She said the racecourse should hold floodwater, rather than divert it to other areas.
Under pressure, (MW) confirmed on October 16 it will review whether the Flemington Race Course flood聽wall contributed to the flooding.
Concerns have been raised about the objectivity of this review, given MW鈥檚 role in approving the flood聽wall.
The Age on October 16 reported that hydrology and flood warning expert , responsible for Melbourne鈥檚 flood warning service at Melbourne Water from 1989 to 2003, had wanted the Steve Brack聽Labor government to build a dam around the Maribyrnong River. He said hundreds of homes, inundated in the recent floods, could have been saved.