Flooding experts lobbied the former state Labor government to dam the Maribyrnong River, but it was rejected on environmental grounds. | EXCLUSIVE by annikasmethurst
Hundreds of Melbourne homes could have been saved from flooding in recent days if the former state Labor government had backed a push to dam the Maribyrnong River, hydrology experts say.
A total of 245 homes in the suburb of Maribyrnong flooded on Friday, the State Emergency Service confirmed on Saturday, far exceeding the 60 affected homes that was initially predicted. Crapper said the $80 million price tag was “chicken feed” compared to the damage bill from floods over the past two decades. He predicts that if nothing is done, low-lying towns and suburbs along the Maribyrnong River – including the suburbs of Keilor, Essendon, Footscray and Yarraville – can expect “more of the same if not worse” in the future.
Andrews was elected in 2004 and was a member of the Bracks government at the time the dam proposal was knocked back.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Labor announces boost in taxpayer-funded paid parental leave to 26 weeks by 2026Leave is set to increase incrementally each year from the present scheme of 18 weeks at minimum wage and can be split between partners
Read more »
Cashless debit card participants exit in droves following Labor decision to scrap programMore than 5,000 people in four trial sites transition off the federal government's cashless debit card program after legislation allowed them to opt out from October 4, but critics say it will lead to a 'tsunami' of alcohol-fuelled violence in remote communities.
Read more »
Labor unveils plan to expand paid parental leave scheme to 26 weeksThe federal government announces a plan to gradually increase paid parental leave entitlements until parents have six months of paid leave per family by 2026.
Read more »
NSW Labor commits to building trains locally, more full-time teacher spots if elected next yearOpposition Leader Chris Minns unveils Labor's plan to revive rail manufacturing and 'backs the NSW teaching workforce' with a promise of creating more permanent jobs.
Read more »
Minns says Labor will deliver NSW-made trains and 10,000 teachersNSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns will stand on bread and butter Labor causes in his fight to seize government, revealing policies to address teacher shortages and domestic manufacturing | LucyCormack
Read more »