Benalla flood risk - too sensitive to release

Goulburn Murray Water has refused a request for Benalla flood risk information under the Freedom of Information Act on the grounds that it is a security risk and contrary to public interest.

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said, “Refusal to release flood risk information on these grounds is truly remarkable.

“It is a particularly remarkable in light of some information I received this week confirming that the original reason for constructing Lake Nillahcootie and Lake Mokoan was to reduce flood risks to Benalla.

“I have been advised by a former State Rivers & Water Supply Commission Engineer that in 1961 he and a senior engineer conducted a preliminary assessment of the Lake Nillahcootie site and Winton Swamp with the view to constructing dams and diversion channels to reduce the risk of flooding to Benalla.

“This information confirms what Frank Rankin, Weir Keeper of Lake Nillahcootie from 1967 to 1989 inclusive and many long term locals have repeatedly claimed.

“The explanation for the public records showing that water storage was the primary reason for the construction appears to be related to political and funding imperatives linked with the overall storage of water in the Murray Darling Basin.”

Dr Sykes continued, “The continued refusal to make the true flood risk publicly available and the confirmation of flood risk mitigation being the original reason for the construction of Lake Nillahcootie, the diversion channels and Lake Mokoan highlights my concerns about the potential increased flood risks if Lake Mokoan is decommissioned.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “I again call on the Bracks Government to make the full flood risk information publicly available and if they are not prepared to do that, then support the mini Lake Mokoan proposal which provides flood risk protection to Benalla as well as security of water supply to irrigators.”