THE Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Deputy Premier, Mr Pat McNamara, came to Swan Hill on Thursday to view the local flood scene at first hand.
Mr McNamara was briefed by Swan Hill City Engineer Frank Smith, Acting Swan Hill Shire Engineer John Webb and Regional Director Peter Simmons, of the State Emergency Service, on the current flood situation in the Murray River in the this area and the predicted peak expected to arrive midweek.
At that stage the prediction was 4.75 metres – some 10cm lower than the initial peak forecast about 11 days ago.
On Thursday the level dropped to 4.69m – marginally under major flood level – after remaining steady at 4.71m for almost two weeks, just over major flood level.
The river is expected to begin to rise again early this week as the flood peak out of the Goulburn, Broken and Ovens Rivers in the State’s north-east reaches Swan Hill.
Mr McNamara was told levees were expected to be capable of containing the flood if no further rain fell and provided the banks did not weaken under the prolonged pressure from the high river.
Continuous monitoring of the banks is taking place.
