Barongarook Creek Flood Event

In September 2016 there was an extreme rainfall and flooding event in the Colac Otway Shire district, with more than 45 millimetres of rain falling within a-24 hour period. This resulted in widespread flash-flooding that affected a range of public and private assets, including roads, bridges and homes. 

The damage continued throughout September as multiple rainfall events continued to 'top up' already innundated areas.

The financial impacts of this event, which includes costs to coordinate the response and recovery, including cleaning blocked drains, waste disposal, landslip repair, footpath replacement, road works and bridge restoration, is estimated to be approximately $4 million dollars, and works are ongoing.

The below video captures the moment the footbridge over Barongarook Creek in the heart of Colac washed away.

Video courtesy of Mick Carson, Carson Dirtworks.

The footbridge was part of a network of walking tracks connecting Colac's CBD with the Botanic Gardens, and works to build a new footbridge as well as a reinforced traffic bridge are now underway. 

 

Large sections along Barongarook Creek were innundated throughout September Large sections along Barongarook Creek were innundated throughout September

Large Sections along Barongarook Creek were Innundated throughout September

 

View of the Flooding Creek from a Rose Arbour near Colac Botanic Gardens View of the Flooding Creek from a Rose Arbour near Colac Botanic Gardens

View of a Flooding Creek from a Rose Arbour near Colac Botanic Gardens