Rodney Harrison, from Strathallan, gave a passionate plea to the committee for it to take the action required.
“Do something about (Lake) Eppalock … we can cope with a medium flood but we just can’t cope with over 100,000 megalitres going over that spillway every day,” he said.
“You have a chance to leave a legacy for the future by making change. You were put here to deliver. So step out of your comfort zone and make sure that we get change.”
The mental health impacts of the flood were an often-mentioned topic, with the last speaker, Katrina Jenkins, particularly focusing on this during her allotted time.
“My experience is characterised by slipping back into a depression … that I thought I had dealt with. I think it comes down to … feeling quite isolated in this town, not because it isn’t a town full of people who really care deeply but just because that’s part of my personality,” she said.
“I’m not somebody who necessarily puts myself forward and seeks assistance. So I just carry on by myself and get it sorted myself.”
As the room applauded her, Ms Jenkins spoke about how hard it was to want to do anything when nothing felt like it was going to work.
“My life is in a caravan and it’s cold and it’s wet … I’ve found it really difficult to adapt to that life. I have arthritis and I have a lot of trouble getting in and out. I had some steps put into the caravan, so that made it easier for me but my house looks like a dump site at the moment and negotiating everything in the house and getting everything done is really, really very difficult,” she said.
“I’ve got myself to the point now where sometimes I can’t come out because I don’t feel like anything’s going to work. It’s not going to happen because something will get in the way. So what’s the point? Should I just stay there and stew? So I feel more isolated than ever before.”
After over 40 years of living in Rochester, John Oakley spoke to the committee about protecting hospitals during flood events.
“My basic proposal is that a protective wall panels is filled around our local hospital,” he said.
Mr Oakley used his time to thank the committee for coming to Rochester and having the flood inquiry.
“I think I know Rochester and its people pretty well. I thank you all for coming because this is the most positive that Rochester had since October last year. So on behalf of the residents, thank you very, very much.”
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