Mayor column: with Cr John Harvie

Published on 28 August 2025

Having recently endorsed the Echuca Moama Torrumbarry flood study and the Moama Flood Risk Management Study and Plan, Council is now reviewing and updating several other flood studies across the area and needs your help to ensure their accuracy.

The flood studies cover Mathoura, Picnic Point, Barham, and Moulamein and aims to improve our understanding of riverine and local stormwater behaviour and its impacts, while improving flood risk management, emergency response and land use planning.

The reviews will also ensure that mapping and plans capture all relevant data to support flood preparedness and response activities in the future.

The Moulamein drop-in session was held last week. If you missed your chance to provide information, please contact Council’s Project Team with your information. 

We are now calling on the Mathoura and Picnic Point community to share their local knowledge and experiences of past floods and storms. Your information will help us to create more accurate models and a clearer picture of flood behaviour in the area.

We are looking for:

• Photos and videos from the 2010, 2016 and 2022 Murray River floods
• Personal observations from these floods.
• Details of local storm events that caused drainage or flooding problems.
• Information about stormwater drainage issues or areas prone to pooling water.

You can share your thoughts or information via councils ‘Your Say’ page online  or you can attend our community drop-in session on Tuesday, 23 September 2025 at 12pm -1pm at the Mathoura Visitor and Business Centre Park.

Council is also completing a review of the Barham Flood Study. Local residents can assist by sharing:

• Photos, videos or personal observations of the 2016, 2022, 25 December 2023, and 8 January 2024 flood or storm events.
• Details of any known issues with Barham’s stormwater or drainage network.

This valuable information will help ensure that the study accurately reflects local experiences and conditions. You can share your thoughts or information via councils ‘Your Say’ page online or you can attend our community drop-in session on Tuesday 9 September 2025 at 12pm -1.30pm at Barham Riverside Park.

Visit www.yoursay.murrayriver.nsw.gov.au