Community thanked for 2022 flood recovery efforts

Community thanked for 2022 flood recovery efforts

Gannawarra Shire Council has formally recognised the numerous community groups and partner agencies that supported the municipality's recovery from the 2022 floods.

Councillors noted the outcomes of the Gannawarra Flood Recovery Program at its April 2026 meeting, taking the opportunity to note how major flooding of the Avoca, Loddon and Murray rivers, as well as Pyramid Creek, created widespread social, economic, environmental and infrastructure challenges across the municipality.

As part of its obligations under the

Emergency Management Act 2013

and

State Emergency Management Plan

, Council led the municipality's recovery from its second major floods in an 11-year period, partnering with agencies that make up the Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee achieve this.

"Council thanks all who played a role in our recovery from the 2022 floods," Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.

"Our second major flood this century inundated approximately 44 per cent of the municipality and significantly impacted rural communities and farming districts. It also impacted every resident in some way, whether it was via property inundation or being disconnected from other communities due to road closures and infrastructure damage."

To assist with the Gannawarra's recovery from the 2022 floods, the Gannawarra Community Flood Recovery Committee was established in early 2023. Consisting of representatives from each community impacted by the floods, the committee provided valuable input, with the committee's contribution leading to the development of the Gannawarra Community Resilience Flood Recovery Action Plan.

The Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee, a formal sub-committee of the Gannawarra

Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee and made up of 32 agencies, supported

Council officers to implement this action plan, with 43 out of the document's 48 actions completed by the end of 2025.

Some of the key achievements thanks to the action plan included:

The delivery of 337 community recovery events, hosted by Council, partner agencies or led by a range of community groups.

The implementation of a community outreach model funded through the Emergency Recovery Victoria Community Recovery Hubs Program to support recovery efforts in rural communities.

Investment in community connection and wellbeing, achieved by strengthening partnerships between various agencies.

Aboriginal self-determined recovery initiatives, including the development of the Tyapa Kurra Kahl ("to plant on Country") bush tucker garden at Kerang, camps and excursions supporting Aboriginal children and young people to connect with other communities, development of the new Welcome to Country video and the establishment of the Barapa Cultural Walk at Middle Reedy Lake.

Improved emergency preparedness, which included the development of the 'Plan and Prepare' fridge magnet and the incorporation of an Emergency Preparedness dashboard on Council's website.

Council's flood recovery efforts also enabled residents to share their experiences during the 2022 floods. This included seeking input into what became Council's submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the 2022 Flood Event and digital records of the events, such as the

Gannawarra Flood Reflections

video series and photographic exhibition.

"Despite challenges associated with extended workforce pressure, short‑term funding cycles, and rigid funding criteria, the Gannawarra Flood Recovery Program has improved preparedness for future flood events and positioned Council and its partners to respond more effectively to future emergencies," Mr Rollinson said.

"Whether it is Council staff, representatives from partner agencies or residents, all who played a role in the Gannawarra's flood recovery should be proud of what they have achieved."

TOP: The

Gannawarra Flood Reflections Exhibition

was one of the many initiatives that occurred as part of the Gannawarra's recovery efforts from the 2022 floods.

Media Releases