Floods – volunteers needed

Like much of the eastern coast of Australia, Castlemaine has been flooded. Roads are closed, Camp Reserve is under water, Forest Creek may burst its banks. The rain has stopped now, (11.45 am Friday), and we may thankfully have seen the worst of it.

For SES emergency assistance call 132 500. And volunteers are needed to help with the clean up:

Volunteers are needed to help individuals, families and households clean-up following the flooding which has occurred throughout Mount Alexander Shire.

We have families and household in our Shire who HAVE LOST EVERYTHING and really could do with a hand.

Cleaning, rubbish removal, minor repairs – all help gratefully accepted. Some jobs (eg: removing wet carpet) do require muscle so be prepared for dirty, heavy work.

Food preparation and child minding may also be needed (some checks may be required).

The Mount Alexander Shire Volunteer Network will liaise with the MAS Council and the SES for clean-up works around the shire and with individual households, after some of the heaviest rains in memory.

Please give as generously of your time as you possibly can. You can reply by email at any time or call Jacqueline Brodie Hanns, Coordinator, Mount Alexander Volunteer Network, direct on 0425 323 005.

The following roads are closed, (as at midday Friday):

• The Pyrenees Highway is closed between Elphinstone and Golden Point Rd and police are diverting traffic along Gloden Point Rd
• Water is over the road at Walker Street
• Water is under the railway line at Forest Street
• Part of Gingell Street is under water and some houses are flooded
• Elizabeth St is flooded at the junction with Johnston St
• There is no access to Maryborough via the Newstead or Daylesford routes
• There is a lot of water south of Guildford


photo: Kip Preston Taylor



photo: Kip Preston Taylor