Campaspe Shire Council has today been advised by the State Emergency Service (SES) of approval to remove the remainder of the temporary levee in Echuca.
Mayor, Cr Rob Amos said the 3km levee was built in mid-October to bolster protection around the Echuca township, a mixture of sandbags and earth. The levee's location was based on flood modelling available with a focus on saving as many homes as possible from flooding, a very short time frame to undertake the works, with the Goulburn, Murray and Campaspe rivers all set to peak.
"We have been advised an assessment of risk has been completed by various agencies, including a review of the long term weather forecast which is favourable," Cr Amos said.
"With Christmas on our doorstep, works are set to start the week of Monday, 9 January and are likely to take several weeks to complete."
"We are confident the news will be welcomed by all and will enable more of us to return to pre-flood life."
The levee has two sections, the first starting at Victoria Park along the Murray River to the Port Precinct. The second starting at Pakenham Street, along Goulburn Road, finishing at Moama Street and Echuca's water treatment plant.
In removing the earth and sandbags the locations will be cleaned as contractors move through each area.
