With the Bureau of Meteorology predicting the height of the Goulburn River at Shepparton to exceed 10.36 metres, G-MW is activating its SMS alert service to Loch Garry Flood Protection District customers. This alert will advise the 140 customers in the Loch Garry Flood Protection District that G-MW expects to remove drop bars from the Loch Garry flood protection regulator.
G-MW Managing Director David Stewart said that in accordance with predetermined and agreed operating rules the Loch Garry Flood Protection structure would be operated and in accordance with these rules, is advising 140 customers through a SMS alert today and will then follow up un-contactable customers with individual phone calls.
"The regulator at Loch Garry is a 48 bay structure that forms part of the 9 kilometres of levee banks under G-MW's management. The flood protection scheme is designed to provide low to medium level flood protection," Mr Stewart said.
"The regulator's drop bars are removed during significant flood events to allow the flood waters to flow across the floodplain," said Mr Stewart.
Mr Stewart explained that G-MW begins removing the bars 24 hours after the river gauge at Shepparton exceeds 10.36 metres, with 25 bars removed for every 31 mm of rise above 10.36 meters. Bars are progressively removed until the river reaches 10.96m at which point all the bars will have been removed. When the river returns to 10.96m, bars are progressively replaced at the same rate as they were removed.
"We encourage all customers to follow the flood precautions advised by the SES to protect their stock and equipment and particularly customers in the flood protection district," said Mr Stewart.
Customers seeking further information about the operation of the Loch Garry scheme can contact the
G-MW Shepparton office on phone (03) 5832 9900.
- ENDS -
Media Contact: Linda Nieuwenhuizen
Position: Manager Stakeholder Relations
Telephone: 03 5833 5776 or 0412 183 792