The probe into last year's devastating Melbourne floods is under renewed scrutiny, with the review's head standing aside and the Victorian Greens pushing for a separate parliamentary inquiry.
Homes and businesses in Melbourne's west were inundated as the Maribyrnong River rose during Victoria's flood crisis in October.
At the time, angry residents questioned whether a flood wall around Flemington Racecourse exacerbated the disaster. Questions were also raised about the effectiveness of the early-warning system used in the area.
Melbourne Water announced an independent review into the flood event late last year, to be headed by planning and environment expert Nick Wimbush.
It was tasked with looking at the "causes and contributors to the Flood Event in the urban catchment, including any potential impacts of the Flemington Racecourse Flood Wall on the extent and duration of the Flood Event" and "any impact of prior works or activities in the urban catchment on flood levels and extent during the Flood Event".
It is also set to investigate "whether any other matters may have significantly contributed to the Flood Event".
However, the terms of reference specifically list five areas which are out of the scope:
- Any specific policy responses
- Future potential mitigation measures such as additional flood walls, levees or dams
- Overall emergency responses including warnings and evacuation procedures
- Flood recovery
- Broad planning matters including decisions, frameworks and processes
Melbourne Water confirmed late on Tuesday Mr Wimbush would step aside from his role after questions were raised about potential perceived conflicts of interest.
Mr Wimbush was the chair of a Moonee Valley City Council planning panel which considered a change to the planning scheme in 2015.
"Mr Wimbush's appointment met all probity and appointment criteria and he was eminently qualified to undertake the role," a Melbourne Water spokesperson said in a statement.
"This position was confirmed on review by an independent probity advisor before his appointment.
"Melbourne Water is determined to demonstrate the integrity of the review process, we have taken this step mutually with Mr Wimbush.
"This is necessary so as not to distract from the important work of the review."
Government defends Melbourne Water review
Victoria's Water Minister Harriet Shing defended Melbourne Water's handling of the review, saying the government should stay out of the process.
"I'm not going to run a running commentary on the nature of this review," she said.
"The word independent is really important here, it needs to take place without any interference from government."
But Greens MP Ellen Sandell said there were too many gaps in the review and a parliamentary inquiry was needed.
"It leaves a lot to be desired," she said.
Ms Sandell, the MP for Melbourne, has introduced a motion to push for a parliamentary inquiry.
"It leaves out really important questions, like why were flood walls allowed to be used in the first place and why early warning systems didn't work," she said.
"And that's why we need a proper parliamentary inquiry."
The Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto said his party would back a fresh inquiry.
"We would support a fully independent inquiry that can be done through the parliament itself, that's probably the preferable course but it could be done through the appointment of someone entirely independent of the process," he said.
