Press Releases

Deputy Premier and Minister for Emergency Services Peter Ryan launched a new campaign today urging Victorians to avoid risk-taking behaviour such as driving, swimming or playing in floodwater.

Mr Ryan said the important initiative was part of the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) FloodSafe Week campaign running from 30 April to 6 May and would encourage flood risk awareness and preparedness.

“Floodwater is dangerous, you don’t know what you are getting into,” Mr Ryan said.

“We have seen first-hand the devastating effects flooding has had on our community and risk-taking behaviour like driving, swimming or playing in floodwater is just asking for trouble.”

Mr Ryan said from earlier this year widespread flooding had isolated communities, inundated homes and closed hundreds of roads in one of the wettest periods on record for some regions since the late 1800s.

“In the last 18 months alone, both regional and metropolitan Victoria has been hit by extreme and unprecedented rainfall, causing some of the worst floods in the state’s history,” Mr Ryan said.”

Mr Ryan said during the last three major flooding events in Victoria calls for help to the SES jumped ten-fold.

“The message is clear – don’t be fooled. Floodwater may look innocent and placid on the surface, but underneath it is a completely different story. It can change in a minute without warning,” Mr Ryan said.

“Driving through floodwater is the number one cause of adult deaths during floods and playing or swimming in floodwater is just as dangerous, and is the number one cause of child and teenage deaths during floods.

“Aside from the risk of death, floodwater is full of churning toxic waste and hidden debris such as barbed wire and tree branches.

“Even shallow water has enough force to wash your car completely off the road. Once you have lost traction, there is nothing you can do. You can become trapped within seconds.”

Mr Ryan said a new Victorian Government-funded advertising campaign would feature during FloodSafe Week to highlight the hidden dangers lurking within floodwater.

“The catch phrase of this campaign is ‘You don’t know what you’re getting into’, highlighting dangers and targetting risk-taking behaviour such as driving, riding, or playing in floodwater,” Mr Ryan said.

In conjunction with the campaign, SES volunteers will hold events in and around local communities to raise awareness about the dangers of floodwater.

For more information about FloodSafe Week go to www.ses.vic.gov.au.

Media contact: Clare Siddins 0429 507 541  Read More

Deputy Premier and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan today announced that community groups across Gippsland South would receive $1,338,412 as part of the Victorian Coalition Government’s $20 million Communities for Nature grants program.  Read More

The Victorian Coalition Government has appointed 12 members to the Gippsland Lakes Ministerial Advisory Committee, which will convene its first meeting in Lakes Entrance on 29 March.

The new advisory committee, which is made up of community members all of whom live in Gippsland, will advise the Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan, and the Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith, on how to secure the environmental health of the Lakes.

“The health of the Lakes supports the communities around them, as well as major tourism and fishing industries,” Mr Smith said.

“Last summer’s algal bloom in the Lakes was an example of the sort of impact that environmental problems can have on industries and recreation in the region.

“The formation of this committee marks a new era in protecting the environment of the Lakes and the surrounding catchment, and in turn that will support tourism, recreation and business opportunities.

“Under the chairmanship of Dr Peter Veenker, the Gippsland Lakes Ministerial Advisory Committee will prepare an environment strategy and recommend a program of practical environmental works to protect the health of the Lakes into the future,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Ryan said the breadth of local knowledge on the committee would lead to good outcomes for the Lakes.

“The committee members’ skills include land and water management, strategic planning, business management, board governance and community engagement,” Mr Ryan said.

“All of the members know Gippsland and appreciate the importance of the Lakes, and I am confident that the committee will provide sound advice to the Government on how we can work together to protect Victoria’s most important Lakes system.”

Mr Ryan said the Coalition Government was investing $10 million over four years for practical environmental projects to protect the Gippsland Lakes, which were one of Australia’s most significant natural landmarks.

Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull said the committee had great potential to achieve at a local level.

“The new advisory committee group will be able to get on with the job of monitoring and dealing with issues relating to the Gippsland Lakes system,” Mr Bull said.

“The Lakes are an icon, not only in Gippsland and Victoria but across Australia, and the appointment of this committee is proof the Coalition Government is serious about ensuring the Gippsland Lakes can remain a jewel in the crown of this country.”

Mr Bull said the committee would be working closely with local communities and industries.  Read More

The Victorian Coalition Government is taking action to investigate concerns about pipi harvesting at Venus Bay.  Read More