Please note: this is an archived news article release
This article was published on Wednesday, 17 April, 2024. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate.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.
Posted on Wednesday 17th of April, 2024,
Greater Shepparton City Council is continuing to prioritise stormwater drainage asset management across the region, with recent extreme rainfall events putting pressure on the ageing infrastructure.
In summary:
There are more than 450km of stormwater pipes and over 60 pump stations across Greater Shepparton, with the majority designed and constructed 40-50 years ago. With design standards having changed since the construction of these pipes, Council is dealing with areas of the system that are under capacity and are unable to meet the increased demand.
Recent data from the Bureau of Meteorology predicts storms in Victoria are going to become more intense over the next 20-30 years with storms occurring less often, however more rainfall will occur in a shorter amount of time. Similar weather patterns have been experienced in recent months, with several extreme rainfall events hitting the region.
Council’s Manager Engineering and Assets, Ben Gannon, said the region’s stormwater pipe network is not designed to deal with these extreme types of weather events which are becoming more common.
“The standards for stormwater drainage have changed over recent years to cater for the extreme weather patterns we are experiencing, which means our current infrastructure is struggling. Because of this you will see more water sitting stagnant on roads and footpaths for a few hours following a storm event, before if eventually drains away,” he said.
“The water will eventually recede, however it will take longer than normal as the stormwater pipes are not designed to cope with extremely large amounts of water in such a small space of time.”
Council is continuing to prioritise the maintenance of its current drainage system to prepare for future predicted stormwater and riverine flooding. As part of this, Council is working on a Drainage Investigation Priority Program based on a list of known stormwater drainage issues across the municipality, prioritising factors such as flood frequency, community disruption and Occupational Health and Safety risks. Priority sites will be further investigated for new drainage design.
Such investigation works are currently underway for Lenne Street, Mooroopna, with the area regularly suffering flash flooding in stormwater events and was severely impacted during the October 2022 flood event. A total of $200,000 was allocated in the 2023/2024 Budget for investigation and design of the stormwater drainage improvements for the area, which will see detailed design plans developed for a new pump station and upgrades to existing reserves to enable them to store an additional 12,700m3 of stormwater.
Mr Gannon said these interim works would improve drainage in the area, allowing the water to flow into these catchments while it works its way through the drainage system.
“We thank residents for their understanding while investigation works have been underway to determine the next steps to improve this drainage,” he said.
“While these renewal and upgrade projects are ongoing, proactive maintenance will continue to ensure the current stormwater drainage is operating at the best of its ability.”
For further information, contact Council’s Engineering and Assets Department on (03) 5832 9700 or email council@shepparton.vic.gov.au
More News from Greater Shepparton
Thursday 16th of October,
Community invited to participate in Aussie Bird Count
Greater Shepparton City Council and RiverConnect are encouraging community members to participate in Australia’s largest annual citizen science event – Aussie Bird Count. Read more
Tuesday 14th of October,
Council awards contract for construction of new Cosgrove Landfill Cell
Greater Shepparton City Council has awarded the construction contract for the next landfill cell at Cosgrove Three, securing future waste disposal capacity and supporting sustainable waste management across the region. Read more
Monday 13th of October,
Greater Shepparton secures back-to-back Australian Junior Motocross Championships
Greater Shepparton City Council, in partnership with the Goulburn Valley Junior Motorcycle Club, is proud to announce it has been selected to host the Australian Junior Motocross Championships in both 2026 and 2027. Read more
Thursday 9th of October,
Council urges community to have their say on VicGrid’s Renewable Energy Zone proposal
The Victorian Government, through VicGrid, has released its Victorian Transmission Plan, identifying several Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) across the state, in areas it considers most suitable for future solar and wind farm development. Read more
Friday 3rd of October,
Make your next career move at Council’s Early Years Recruitment Day
Greater Shepparton City Council is excited to announce its third Empowering Early Years Recruitment Day, designed to connect passionate people with rewarding careers in early childhood education. Read more
Thursday 2nd of October,
Greater Shepparton to host 2026 Murray-Darling Association National Conference
Greater Shepparton is proud to be announced as the host city for the 2026 Murray-Darling Association National Conference. Read more
See All News
Want to get the latest news and events in your Facebook feed?
Just go to our Facebook page and click the Like button.
More Events in Greater Shepparton
Tuesday 21st of October,
Tech 000 Drop In Session - Tech Help at Shepparton Library
Need help with your mobile device? Can’t work out how to change your settings or use an app? Our Tech000 staff can help! Read more
Saturday 18th of October, – to Friday 31st of October,
Disruption: An Immersive Art Experience
An innovative animated exhibition featuring the artwork and creativity of young locals, exploring themes of natural disasters and emergency responses through their own experiences. The exhibition will… Read more
Tuesday 21st of October,
Deusi Bhailo Diwali Celebration
The celebration will feature cultural performances, including traditional dance and Deusi Bhailo. The community will also provide light refreshments at the event. Proudly supported by the Greater Shepparton… Read more
Saturday 18th of October,
Bonegilla-The migrant's journey
The show uses two large screens. One for European post war migrant interviews and the second for interviewee photos. This is then embellished with a live music soundtrack played by piano and a string… Read more
Saturday 18th of October, – to Sunday 19th of October,
U3A Art, Craft and Photography Exhibition
Discover creativity at the U3A! Read more
Monday 20th of October, – to Sunday 26th of October,
Aussie Bird Count 2026
Join Australia’s biggest citizen science event! From 20 to 26 October 2025 over National Bird Week. Read more
See All Events