The flood wall around Flemington Racecourse needs to be ‘reviewed’ according to recommendations from a parliamentary inquiry into the floods of 2022.
Parliament’s Environment and Planning Committee found the wall made flooding worse along the Maribyrnong River, raising water levels, and slowing the passage of the flood’s peak by up to 4.5 hours. Its report recommended the “efficacy and impact” of the wall be reviewed.
New data from Melbourne Water released in April this year also found if the same sized flood hit in 2024, the wall would not stop the Melbourne Cup racetrack from being inundated.
Greens state MP for Melbourne Ellen Sandell said “The Flemington flood wall needs to be taken down, and urgent flood mitigation works need to be investigated, agreed, and then funded by the state and federal governments.”
“This needs to happen now, before residents are flooded again,” Ms Sandell said.
Flemington Racecourse owner the Victoria Racing Club said it remains “committed to working with Melbourne Water and other relevant authorities in connection with this matter”.
The housing development Kensington Banks was inundated when floodwaters peaked on October 14, 2022.
Some impacted properties had not previously been considered at risk of flooding.
Residents appearing before the EPC inquiry said they believed the wall had worsened the flood and questioned how it had received government approval.
The Greens have since successfully referred planning decisions behind the development of Kensington Banks to the Victorian Ombudsman.
Labor’s MP for Essendon Danny Pearson, whose electorate includes Flemington Racecourse, was contacted for comment.
The EPC’s inquiry found flood mitigation infrastructure like dams, levies and flood diversion channels would be difficult to build along the Maribyrnong due to the potential environmental and heritage impact.
The 2.4 metre Flemington flood wall was built in 2007 despite opposition from Maribyrnong, Melbourne and Moonee Valley city councils.
Ms Sandell said she expected the Ombudsman to deliver findings from its investigation within 12 months.
The state government has until January 31 to deliver its response to the EPC’s report.
