Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Thursday, 16 February, 2023. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Changes to Council’s Secondary Impact Assessments following October floods

Council established Secondary Impact Assessment (SIA) teams following the flood, with each consisting of a Building Inspector/Surveyor, an Environmental Health Officer and a Council support member. Since October, these teams have been door knocking residents in flood affected areas to undertake the assessments. During these visits, residents were provided with information and advice on other support services available to help them recover following the flood.

The information gathered by the SIA teams is then used to help Council and the Victorian Government better understand the impacts of the recent flood event and prepare a response for longer term recovery needs for the community.

Council have now completed their door knocks of flood affected areas, with over 6,000 Secondary Impact Assessments undertaken. If residents are one of the 1500 that received a visit but they weren’t home, they will receive a follow up phone call.

If residents missed a visit from one of the SIA teams and would like Council to undertake a Secondary Impact Assessment, they can request an inspection via Council’s website or via phone at (03) 5832 9700.

This request form is open until 5pm on Friday 24 February 2023. Secondary Impact Assessments will now only be conducted by appointment.

Acting Director Community, Melanie Holt, encouraged community members to fill in the online form and request a Secondary Impact Assessment if required to ensure the necessary steps can be taken.

“These assessments are extremely important to ensure the impact of the flood event is understood and recorded for the future,” she said.

“Many homes within the community were directly impacted by flood waters and these assessments are necessary to ensure we can better plan for future emergencies. The SIA teams are still in place and available to assist affected residents.”

The SIA teams do not provide any reports to residents, however they are provided with advice and recommendations to assist them with their individual recovery process. Register online for a free structural damage assessment report of your property.

Council is continuing to provide flood recovery assistance to the community. For further information, visit Council's flood page.