He said being heard was just the start on the road to recovery and the “campaign to much better prepare the region, and the state, against future flood events”.
The inquiry will consider Victoria’s preparedness and response to the floods and will examine flood mitigation infrastructure, government policy and systems to warn the public.
Mr Walsh said the inquiry would take submissions and it was important people in the electorate affected by the floods had their say.
“Unfortunately, there were many residents – too many residents – across my electorate impacted by the floods, and I encourage those people to have their say on what worked, and what could be improved on in case we face a similar situation in the future,” Mr Walsh said.
“And with two ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ floods devastating regional Victoria in the past 11 years, the next flood is not a case of if, but when.
“Which is why the people who have experienced the floods first hand – and few people saw it more than those in our local towns such as Rochester and between Gunbower and Kerang – and are therefore in the best position to make sure we are more prepared for the future, need to be part of this major government inquiry.”
Submissions are being accepted until May 8 at new.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/inquiries/floodinquiry/submissions.
