Daniel Andrews dismisses concerns about review independence for Flemington Racecourse floodwall.Victoria

Daniel Andrews dismissed concerns about the independence of the investigation into the effects of the flood wall built to protect Flemington Racecourse. The inquiry will be conducted by an organization chaired by the former government minister who approved the structure.

The tracks escaped flooding on Friday, while homes in neighboring suburbs, including Malivenon and Kensington, were submerged. Some residents believe the wall pushed the floodwaters off the railroad tracks and into their homes.

of melbourne cup It will be held in Flemington in two weeks.

The Victorian Racing Club built a flood wall in 2007 between the south side of the track and the Malibenon River.

The Victorian Prime Minister announced on Sunday: melbourne The Water Authority was to reconsider a decision to approve a flood wall approved by the Labor government in 2004.

At the time, three local councils, residents’ groups and water experts opposed the plan, but Melbourne Water, a statutory authority owned by the Government of Victoria, supported it.

The authority is now chaired by John Thwaites, who was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Waters when the wall was approved.

Andrews said he doesn’t want to prejudge the outcome of the review, but he is confident in Melbourne Water’s ability to do just that.

“I think Melbourne Water can do the review,” he told reporters at the state’s control center on Monday. “Wait, let’s see what those reviews say. I have confidence in them and I can get those reports back and make an assessment at that point.

“Let’s take a look at this. Let’s get Melbourne Water to review it. Then they can present their findings and make decisions based on that.”

Racing Victoria CEO Andrew Jones said on Saturday that the wall had “unintended consequences for local residents”.

“VRC took steps to protect its property from flooding 15 years ago. [and] It clearly had unintended consequences for the neighborhood,” he told Channel Nine.

“Obviously there was no intent to harm the VRC. This was an intent as they sought to protect the Spring Carnival and the Melbourne Cup Carnival, a very important part of Victorian life and the Victorian economy. I think it’s a result of not doing it.”

Greens Senator Ellen Sandel, who lives in part of the flooded Kensington, said the decision to build the wall was approved by a government keen to protect the interests of the horse racing and gambling industries.

Sandel said the review appeared to be motivated by the same.

“While it’s convenient for the Prime Minister to do this review with one of the former Labor Ministers involved in the original decision, it really needs to be properly independent and just give Dan Andrews the answer he wants. No, please protect the gambling and racing industry,” she said.