VICSES attend Torquay dam leak - locals kept safe and dry

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VICSES attend Torquay dam leak - locals kept safe and dry

Published 06/10/2020
VICSES volunteers from a number units have attended a housing estate in Torquay, after a residents were concerned a nearby dam would burst.

VICSES volunteers from a number units have attended a housing estate in Torquay, after a residents were concerned a nearby dam would burst.

The 180 megalitre (180 million litre) private dam was leaking on Friday 2nd October, with residents in the immediate vicinity notified by members of VICSES and Victoria Police of the developing situation.

Locals were evacuated shortly after, while engineers assessed the safety of the dam.

VICSES volunteers also:

- Provided information to community through door knocks and the establishment of a community information point
- Pumped water from affected resident’s yard alongside CFA
- Deployed specialist resources such as lighting trailers and the field operations vehicle
- Remained on standby with specialist Land Based Swift Water Rescue if required

Members from Torquay, Winchelsea, Geelong, South Barwon, South West Regional Headquarters, Corio, Essendon, and Monash units were all involved in the operation.

On Sunday, 4th October, Torquay residents were able to return to their homes, with no serious flooding occurring.

VICSES would like to thank all our members, additional emergency services, and the Surf Coast community for their assistance - as well as their co-operation over the course of the weekend.