By Nikki Kowalczyk.

An independent review will investigate the causes and contributors to the unprecedented flooding that struck the Maribyrnong River in October last year. Former Federal and Victorian Supreme Court Judge Tony Pagone AM has been appointed as the independent Chair, with a report expected to be released to the public this September.

Community submissions to the review are welcome — make yours here!

We’ll be putting in a Riverkeeper submission and we encourage you to get active before Monday 5 June (the deadline) and join us. Submissions don’t need to be long or detailed – bullet points still count!

The deluge which hit Victoria in October 2022 was the wettest on record since 1900 and resulted in one of the largest floods ever recorded in the Maribyrnong River. The flood was the highest the river has experienced in over a century and included the biggest flood event ever for Deep Creek, the largest tributary of the river.

The shape of the catchment played a role in exacerbating the flood. The area north of Sunbury had the biggest influence on flow behaviours in the river due to its wide upstream areas, including Lancefield North, Mt Macedon, and Darraweit.

The independent review has been tasked with examining the impact of prior works or activities in the urban catchment on flood levels and extent during the flood event, including the potential impacts of the Flemington Racecourse Flood Wall.