11.1 meters is the peak the Goulburn River reached last night in Shepparton and here in Mooroopna this afternoon when the water had actually dropped a little the river height beneath the closed bridge showed the 11.1 meter water mark had been reached.

Men and Women of the Australian Army Force had worked through the night placing sandbags in front of the business district of Mooroopna and many of the residences.  The main flooding risk for buildings was from the water being pushed up out of storm drains.  The water reached many of these sand bag barriers and was held away. there was minimal damage from the major flood peak, within the town. 

I had my Toyota Troopy over at Toyota Kialla and left it until today after the Kialla flood waters had dropped a little before picking the car up. 

I was so impressed to see that the Werribee Coast Guard was negotiating the water in boats checking on all the residents stranded on raised islands in the flooded Kialla Lakes district of Shepparton.

It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and the flood water that had been over the road n two places,separating Mooroopna and Shepparton in the morning, subsided with the new flood peak pushed back until late tonight.  My daughter who lives in Shepparton drove over the reopened highway, picked Reg and I up, then collected our granddaughter from her ballet class and we had the evening meal together at her home. 

 It was a lovely evening, but we could not delay, she brought us back to near our home in Moorroopna, headed back to Shepparton and we walked section home in the pleasant early spring evening.   It is a case of wait and see now, the river peaks tonight and more rain is forecast for latter in the week some homes may be affected, it is too soon to know how many. 

Spirits are high amongst the locals, these are rural people and there is some sense of joy in seeing water over land that had been severely drought stricken for over a decade.

The road between Shepparton and Mooroopna this morning was strewn with Kangaroos that had been hit by cars. That I found sad. There is also an increased risk of encountering snakes as they leave the bush seeking dry land in residential areas.  Care needs to be taken. 

Authorities are enforcing penalties for anyone who enters the flood water, even in a boat, there were several rescues today of people who walked into the flooded waters.  These waters are contaminated with septic sewage waste and have to be regarded as toxic. 

While we were looking, many side streets were being blocked off, access only to residents, and people viewing the river from the bridge on the road to Kialla were being moved off and the bridge was being closed off in preparation for the river to rise above the top of the bridge tonight.

Everything was calm, if anything people were acting the way i felt, just soaking in the beauty of the spectacle of so much water after such a long drought and feeling confident that Shepparton was well prepared and the huge expanse of surrounding river gum forests would take up the bulk of the water when the Goulburn spills out tonight.

My daughter drove me to look at a piece of land, she almost put a deposit on. It was underwater and the freshly planted garden was floating away downstream. I guess she was pleased she did not buy and build a new home there.

I took these photos of the floods on both sides of the Midland Highway between Shepparton and Mooroopna from the front passenger seat of the car, using my Desire smart phone.

I Wish everyone affected  by the floods in Northern Victoria, and elsewhere, stay's SAFE.

The situation at Seven Creeks at Euroa is currently at 4.73 meters (Major Flood Level 4.6 meters) and rising rapidly. A peak around 5 meters is expected this evening.

People are still driving though these rising waters and emergency services are urging people to stay away from the area, and to not attempt to walk, ride or drive through floodwater.
* Don't allow children to play in floodwater,
* Stay away from waterways and storm water drains, and
* Keep well clear of fallen power lines .

PLEASE stay safe everyone.

Contact the SES on 132 500, if emergency assistance is required.
Current Road and Traffic Information can be obtained from the VicRoads website:
http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/trafficalerts

Wishing the inhabitants of the flooded areas, a safe and quick recovery from the flood.

Creswick is a pretty town I have often visited when we lived at Buninyong.  Creswick is on the opposite and lower side of Ballarat to Buninyong it was severely affected by flash-flooding today.

100 people sort refuge in the Creswick Town Hall, and 30 people had been evacuated from a Clunes riverside caravan park.

What a change from the dreadful drought affected state Western Victoria was in last year.

Reconsider visiting a park or forest this weekend 03 Sep 2010

Parks Victoria and The Department of Sustainability and Environment strongly urge visitors to reconsider trips to parks and forests this weekend. DSE State Duty Officer, Mark Woodman has reported rainfalls of up to 100-150mm, severe thunderstorms and damaging winds are predicted in some areas for the state, with the worst conditions expected in north-east Victoria.



“Anyone intending on visiting parks and forests this weekend is reminded that as well as flooding risks of swollen rivers and creeks, heavy rain increases the risk of landslips and falling rocks or tree limbs in our parks and forests,” Mr Woodman said.



Parks Victoria strongly advises that people should avoid low lying areas which might become flooded and elevated and alpine areas which are likely to experience landslips, fallen trees and very strong winds.



People should avoid parking, sheltering or camping under trees which may be weakened, particularly if they are fire damaged and susceptible to limbs or whole trees falling.



Flooding and short-notice closures

Rivers, creeks and waterways can rise very quickly – so visitors should not camp close to waterways or try to walk, ride or drive through flooded areas.



In these conditions, our visitors need to be aware that some tracks and sites may need to be closed at short notice. As a consequence, there is potential for people to become isolated in areas of park or forest if roads and tracks become impassable due to flooding, trees or other debris.



Stay informed

Visitors should take extreme care if they do need to be in parks or forests, and take note of the latest advice and forecasts by tuning into emergency broadcasters: ABC Local Radio, UGFM community radio, commercial radio stations, or SKY NEWS Television.



For more information about the current emergency situation call the SES Flood Information Line on 1300 842 737 (1300 VIC SES).

My feelings when I read this news release was 'Yobbos'  How I dislike that sort of , don't ive  hoot about any one else, or wild life for that matter,  person. 


Parks Victoria rangers are extremely disappointed in vandalism that has been occurring at the Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve.

 

In the lead up to the opening of this year’s Victorian duck season, Parks Victoria staff on the Bellarine experienced a dramatic increase in the number of locks, chains and gates being cut open by people seeking to gain illegal vehicle access to the reserve.

 

Parks Victoria Ranger, Stuart Willsher, said historically staff have needed to replace the odd lock or chain, but the amount of vandalism this year is unprecedented and is causing concern.

 

“Unrestricted vehicle access across the wetland is not permitted, as it clearly affects the conservation values of the reserve,” Mr Willsher said.

 

“Also, people who are accessing the reserve in this way are potentially putting their own safety at risk.

 

“Over this past weekend, rangers on patrol observed several recently cut chains and gates around Reedy Lake. In one instance, the chain had been cut and the gate hinges removed.

 

“The significant cost of replacing these locks and chains is not sustainable,” Mr Willsher said.

 

With the 2010 duck hunting season in Victoria opening on 20 March and continuing until 30 May, the entire Lake Connewarre complex was opened for hunting with Reedy Lake and Hospital Swamps the most popular sites for hunting.

 

“There are plenty of ways that people can access the reserve on foot, legally and safely. Parks Victoria has worked closely with the Geelong Field and Game Association to achieve this,” Mr Willsher said.

 

“For on water access a purpose built punt launching carpark was constructed off Fitzgeralds Road in a joint partnership with the Geelong Field and Game Association. This carpark and access track to it were opened one week prior to the beginning of duck season and remain open 24 hours a day throughout the entire season.

 

“New pedestrian access gates have been installed at several key points to assist visitors to access the wetland,” he said.

 

People caught illegally accessing the reserve can be issued with an on the spot fine.

 

Lake Connewarre is a large shallow (av. depth 100cm) estuarine lagoon in the lower reaches of the Barwon River. To the north of Lake Connewarre is Lake Reedy, a gazetted RAMSAR wetlands and dedicated Field and Game Reserve. The area is home to a significant volume of protected native flora and fauna.

For further information on this area refer to the information on the development of Barwon River Parklands.

Heritage
Aboriginal Traditional Owners Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria 


Fauna
The Lake is commercially fished for short-finned eel. Fish are predominantly yellow-eye mullet, short-finned eel, black bream and some Australian salmon. Brown trout, carp, redfin, flounder, sea mullet, tupong, trevally estuary perch, luderick, short-headed lamprey, whiting and tailor are also present at times, depending on salinities in the lake. 


Looking After the Park

• Don't feed or handle wildlife.
• Beware of snakes in warm weather.
• Respect other park users.

Precautions
This park has been assessed to have a high level of bushfire risk and will be closed for public safety on days of Code Red (Catastrophic) Fire Danger Rating. 

 
How to Get There
Located about 90km south west of Melbourne, Lake Connewarre can be accessed by taking the Barwon Heads Road out of Geelong then turning at Lake Road and then Belcher's Road.  

Nearby Parks

• Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary
• Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park
• Barwon River Reserves
• Ocean Grove Nature reserve
• Edwards Point State Faunal Reserve
• Mud Island Marine Reserve
• Swan Bay Marine Reserve
• Reedy Lake State Game Reserve (RAMSAR wetland)
• Murtnaghurt  Lagoon State Game Reserve (RAMSAR wetland)
• Salt Lagoon
• Lake Lonsdale Nature Conservation reserve
• Breamlea & Karaaf Flora Reserves

Publications
Brochures1.  World Wetlands Day 2010

Park Notes / Maps1.  Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve
2.  Port Phillip and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar Site

Corporate & Other Publications1.  Lake Connewarre SGR - Environment Information Sheet