People still putting themselves at risk on flooded roads

Published on 27 October 2022

Motorists continue to put their lives at risk ignoring road closures and driving through floodwaters on Moyne’s local roads.

Mayor Ian Smith said Council staff had witnessed a large number of motorists ignoring closures on Connewarren Lane at Mortlake, where the Hopkins River is still in flood and water is rising again after more rainfall this week.

“A road closure is there for a reason, it’s there for your safety,” Cr Smith said.

“Our staff are reporting that under the flood water on the Connewarren, there is a large section of road that has been washed away and will continue to get worse while the water continues to flow over it.

“Our crews are working around the clock, closing roads as required and then inspecting and re-opening when the water has receded. They aren’t doing it for fun. They are doing it to make sure people are safe.”

He said Council staff were now considering at a range of options to ensure people did not travel beyond a road closure including additional signage to ensure that the community clearly understood the risk.

Cr Smith said he understood it was frustrating and inconvenient to have roads closed, but council staff were working as fast as they could to get roads re-opened.

“We don’t want roads closed for any longer than they have to be – but we have to make sure it’s safe before a road can be re-opened and in many instances there are significant repairs required,” he said.

“Our teams are working as fast as they can, but with many roads still flooded, catchments full and more rain forecast – this will continue for some time.

“We again ask people to obey all road closed signs and to not drive through floodwater – even if you normally drive the road every day and have seen it in flood before - you never know what the road underneath is like and you could be putting your life at risk.”