The operator of the retirement village, where residents in 31 of the 47 homes that flooded last year are yet to return, is still seeking to build a new stage, applying to Moonee Valley Council just four days before last year’s flood.
Rivervue’s proposed two-storey, 14-villa complex on the Maribyrnong River banks is planned for land in an area that has never been considered flood-prone but is close to land where flood boundaries were shifted but later flooded.
The Council referred the application to Melbourne Water, which has failed to respond to the plan. An internal Moonee Valley email states that, once comments from external authorities have been received, the application will go before the council meeting due to its “sensitive nature”, Nine newspapers reported.
The flood at the village is at the centre of a political storm facing the Victorian Government and Melbourne Water, which made possible construction on the land, formerly designated as flood prone.
Nine newspapers reported Melbourne Water ignored advice to declare a potential perceived conflict of interest surrounding its inquiry into October’s flood. Emails also show a state minister’s office and the water department vetted a Melbourne Water statement to Nine newspapers, casting doubt on the inquiry’s independence.
The flood caused $7 million of damage to Rivervue, which still advertises units for sale from $849,000.
