Videos highlight Rochy’s readiness for floods
A SERIES of videos is being released about the Resilient Rochester Project featuring locals, their stories and how they are now better prepared to respond to future flooding events.
Campaspe Shire chief executive Declan Moore said 80 per cent of Rochester businesses and residents were significantly impacted by the floods of January 2011, which caused devastation to the town.
“In summary of the project, and to share what makes Rochester so special, five videos have been developed that are being rolled out on the council, regional VICSES and North Central CMA Facebook pages,” he said.
“The videos show how every local property has now received their individualised flood risk pack to help them better plan for, and respond to, flood events.”
Overall, the Resilient Rochester Project has been effective, with surveys indicating a 25 per cent increase in residents knowing where to source flood information and 60 per cent now having a flood emergency plan.
“While everyone who completed the project surveys understood that flooding impacts the town, the level of knowledge about the impacts on individual properties increased,” Mr Moore said.
Other tools and information developed through the project have included:
• Information packs for residents and business owners including property-specific flood height data linked directly to the Rochester Town Gauge. (This information can be accessed at nccma.vic.gov.au/floodeye);
• Flood markers at various locations around town that are a record of historical floods;
• Flood information signs on each side of the river; and
• Flood education material including the Bag It, Block It, Lift it & Leave
flood jingle, which can be listened to at vimeo.com/464101634
The council partnered with local and regional VICSES and North Central CMA, with partial funding from the Natural Disaster Resilience Grants Scheme to help produce the video series.