“The cost of this recovery will be enormous; and declaring it a natural disaster will unleash the money needed to help so many people, too many people, rebuild their lives — again,” Mr Walsh said.
The Member for Murray Plains spoke with the Victorian Premier on Sunday and asked him if he would request the army be brought in to assist with the massive clean-up facing much of the region.
He said the Premier was open to a wide-ranging discussion about what would be urgent — especially for Rochester.
“Sadly, for the second time in 11 years, Rochester and its brave community, have been smashed by floodwaters,” Mr Walsh says.
“Despite using more than 30,000 sandbags, masses of heavy-duty plastic sheeting and tonnes of sand, it was in vain, and I doubt there are many, if any, houses and businesses in the town that have not been inundated.”
He says his talks with the Premier also covered the obvious need for immediate sites where ruined floor coverings, furniture and other housing materials, clothing and garden equipment and the fittings and equipment from businesses can be dumped as the start of the recovery.
Mr Walsh said he had spent much of the weekend touring the region to get the best possible understanding of who needs what first, and then where to go to help as many people as fast as possible.
“With the help of Victoria Police, I have been able to access a number of areas, which had been closed — at one stage this afternoon (Sunday) the old Echuca bridge had signs up on the NSW side saying it was local (Victorians headed home) traffic only,” Mr Walsh said.
“And you have to mention the phenomenal effort by so many first responders and volunteers across the region since this crisis started.
“The work done filling sandbags and distributing them, and in manning the evacuation centres set up by Campaspe Shire and staffed by local churches, the chaplaincy movement, and council staff — as well as the wider community.
“While I was in the High St evacuation centre, I saw a young teenage boy wander in off the street, offering to do anything and everything, to lend a hand.
“Alongside Campaspe Shire staff and other volunteers.
“As disastrous as these floods are proving, once again regional and country people have proved the strength of their communities and their kindness, compassion and caring for each other.”
