FW: Victorian floods
David Hunter - Hunter Geophysics
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David Hunter |
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Director | Hunter Geophysics – Archaeological and shallow sub-surface geophysicists | |
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Mob.: (+61) 0488 501 261 | |
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www.facebook.com/Hunter.Geophysics | www.twitter.com/huntergeofizz |
From: owner-austral...@lists.uq.edu.au [mailto:owner-austral...@lists.uq.edu.au]On Behalf Of Lynley Wallis
Sent: Tuesday, 18 January 2011 2:52 PM
To: australian...@lists.uq.edu.au
Subject: Victorian floods
Dear Colleagues
We would like to pass on some information relating to current flash flooding in Victoria and the affect this has had on archaeologists and heritage sites in the region.
As flood waters recede in Queensland, rivers are reaching record levels in many parts of Victoria. Media report damage to 1600 houses in 46 towns with residents of Allansford, Quambatook, Pyramid Hill, Kerang and Horsham amongst those forced to evacuate. Flood warnings are current for the Avoca River, Campaspe River downstream of Lake Eppalock, the Loddon River and Wimmera River. Horesham is an immediate concern.
Thankfully, the affect of flooding on the Victorian archaeological community appears to be small. Our archaeological colleagues in regional Victoria appear to be safe having sustained minimal property damage. We wish Ben Gunn, who lives in Lake Lonsdale and reports damage to fencing, all the best with his clean up. Universities and consultancy companies report no damage in or around Melbourne.
Heritage Victoria and Parks Victoria are uncertain as to the extent of damage to heritage sites. Access is limited to many National Parks (see http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources/mresources/DSE_PV_Flood_Closures.pdf) with Grampians, Great Otway, Barmah, Hattah Kulkyne, Murray Sunset and Mount Buffalo parks particularly hard hit. Jeremy Smith (Senior archaeologist with Heritage Victoria) expects some damage to heritage places, in particular homesteads and mining sites in the western districts. Fortunately the national heritage listed site of Echuca wharf has so far survived rising waters.
For Victorians a major problem in coming days is likely to be widespread road closures. This affects pretty much all of the west of Victoria from north to south. There are also concerns about further flooding as flood waters make their way down from Queensland. We will keep you updated on flood damage (and potentially also the recovery of new sites) during the coming weeks.
As with our colleagues in large parts of southeast Queensland who have been affected in recent weeks, our thoughts and best wishes extend to colleagues in Victoria who have suffered from these events.
Regards
Duncan Wright
AAA Victorian State Representative, on behalf of the AAA Executive