Flood-hit Melburnians in the city's west have raised concerns a controversial flood wall at Flemington Racecourse worsened residential inundation, as the city begins to clean up from Friday's extraordinary floods.
Streets in Maribyrnong have been coated in mud and debris in the aftermath of the major flooding, which affected up to 100 properties in Melbourne.
But Flemington Racecourse, home to next month's Melbourne Cup, escaped the severe flooding that swamped streets around it.
Some residents said the racecourse managed to avoid the fate of its neighbours due to its rock wall pushing water back onto nearby streets.
Despite objections from residents and local councils in 2004, the then-Labor government approved the wall to protect the racecourse from flooding.
Local resident and historian Liz Crash said the area around the racecourse had always been a flood plain.
She said when the flood wall was first planned nearly 20 years ago, three local councils objected over concerns it would exacerbate flood risk in the area.
"This has always been a huge concern for the community,'' Ms Crash said.
Suggestion flood wall had 'unintended consequences'
Racing Victoria chief executive Andrew Jones told Channel Nine he believed the flood wall had created "unintended consequences for neighbouring residents".
"The VRC took steps to flood-proof or flood-protect its property 15 years ago which it is entitled to do," he said.
"That's obviously had unintended consequences for neighbouring residents.
"Obviously there is no intention of the VRC to cause harm, they are trying to protect the Spring Racing Carnival and the Melbourne Cup Carnival which is a massively important part of Victorian life and the Victorian economy."
On Friday, VRC chief executive Dale Monteith had praised the success of the flood wall, saying it had delivered a legacy because it protected major events such as next month's Melbourne Cup Carnival.
It drew criticism from angry residents dealing with inundated properties.
Mr Monteith told ABC Radio Melbourne on Friday afternoon the VRC had worked with Melbourne Water to make sure it was safe.
"I was completely satisfied, I wasn't going to do anything at the time, which would be impact anyone else on the flood plain,'' Mr Monteith said.
"I do feel for the people who have been affected, I think blaming the flood wall, for all my knowledge, is not correct."
Mr Monteith said the VRC did work at the time with properties downstream to improve the flow.
"Events like today we're going to are going to happen no matter what for the people that are on the flood plain. And it's simple as that," he said.
Melbourne Water defends modelling behind flood wall
On Saturday, a Melbourne Water spokesperson said the construction of the flood wall in 2004 was subject to a "range of additional flood mitigation measures as well as ongoing maintenance and management of these assets".
The spokesperson said modelling work at the time found the flood protection works could be done in a way that did not increase the flood risk to surrounding areas.
They also noted that the flooding at the Maribyrnong River was caused by significant rainfall associated with Melbourne's third consecutive year of wet La Nina weather patterns.
State Greens MP Ellen Sandell said the flood wall flew in the face of climate-safe urban planning.
"The racecourse is on a flood plain and should hold floodwater when needed," she said.
"Instead, this afternoon [Friday] it's the only dry land for miles around, while people have lost their cars and are evacuating their homes in rubber dinghies."
She blamed the Bracks government for pushing the project through nearly 20 years ago.
"Once these floodwaters subside, Racing Victoria and every associated gambling entity about to bank millions at the Spring Racing Carnival better be ready to stump up the cash to help with the flood clean-up effort,'' Ms Sandell said.
The SES and Premier Daniel Andrews declined to comment on the issue, saying it was a matter for Melbourne Water.
The VRC said it did not wish to comment.
Residents face thick mud as clean-up begins
On flooding in Melbourne's rivers, Mr Wiebusch said the evacuation order was lifted in Maribrynong this morning as the river dropped below minor flooding.
He said there was moderate flooding at the Yarra River which was expected to continue for a couple of days.
As for the Werribee River, he said there was minor flooding that could continue into next week.
In Maribyrnong, Solly Ahmet was facing a thick layer of mud covering his home.
He said the SES came to pick him up in a boat on Friday, when the water level in his house was at 2 feet.
"My wife is walking with a frame and her legs couldn't take her upstairs, so we had to call the SES," he said.
"In the driveway, you have to walk through an inch and a half of mud.
"The fear is now, will this happen to us again next week, or even this week?"
Mr Andrews said plans were underway to use the Mickleham quarantine facility in Melbourne's north to house flood victims.
"We think that we'll have places for around 250 people for multiple weeks," he said.
He said the government had begun recruitment to staff the facility.
Where to find emergency assistance and information
- For emergency assistance, contact the SES on 132 500
- If your life is at risk, call triple-O (000) immediately
- You can find the latest Victorian evacuation orders here
- For the latest weather updates visit the Bureau of Meteorology.
Listen to ABC Local Radio for regular updates:
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ABC Melbourne on 774am or online
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Search for a different frequency using the ABC Radio Finder.
