LATROBE City Council will be investigating its flood warning system amid reports from residents they had not received enough notice to evacuate.
Latrobe City Mayor Ed Vermeulen said council would also work with the provider to identify what had occurred.
“The community will be kept informed as to the outcome of this investigation,” Councillor Vermeulen said.
“Latrobe City’s flood warning system was activated at 11pm on Monday, 4 June, however it became apparent the system did not work as expected.
“Latrobe City council’s emergency management team requested that the State Emergency Service activate the national emergency alert system which was supported by a door-knock by the SES and CFA to advise all affected residents of the situation.”
Paul Street, Traralgon resident Lyndel Van Berkel said she was “very angry” regarding the absence of information from council.
“The last time we were flooded, we contacted council and asked to be put on their emergency notification list, but that still hasn’t been done,” Ms Van Berkel said, adding their shed had been flooded out.
“No one in our area got calls on Monday night; we were up most of the night.
“There has been a complete lack of communication from council; this is just not good enough.”
Cr Vermeulen said from council’s perspective, it was important to ensure residents were kept abreast of information as it comes to hand.
“Throughout the emergency on Tuesday, information was available at the relief centre as well as via our webpage and social media channels, Facebook and Twitter; along with the webpages of the other agencies involved,” he said.
He said council would undertake an assessment of all impacted properties.
“Aside from the inundation to private property, there were some key community assets such as the Traralgon Recreation Reserve, Traralgon Tennis Complex, Agnes Brereton Reserve and Harold Preston Reserve which were hit hard by the floods,” Cr Vermeulen said.
“Council officers are working with the impacted tenants and users of these facilities to assist in clean up and getting the facilities back up and running.
“There may however be some interruptions to planned activities at these venues and we ask for the community’s patience during this time.”
