Over the past few weeks, major media outlets have published several articles that provide comprehensive coverage of the authorities responsible for ensuring the safety of citizens in the event of natural disasters, including the shortcomings of early warning systems, ill-resourced evacuation protocols, and the challenges of clean-up, recovery, and rebuilding (referenced in previous updates). Despite the broad support attracted by these articles and petitions, there are still some who unfairly blame the affected residents for "living in a flood zone." Although generally, most people are inclined to help disaster victims, some people blame, rather than help. It is crucial to remember that living in a flood zone may not be a choice, and those affected may lack the resources to move elsewhere. This type of commentary can be best described as victim blaming.

Victim blaming is a type of behaviour in which the victim of a harmful event or situation is held responsible, either partially or entirely, for what happened to them. This type of thinking tends to shift the responsibility away from the perpetrator or other external factors and places it onto the victim. It can be extremely harmful to the victim as it can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and isolation, which can further exacerbate the trauma they have experienced. The majority of Maribyrnong’s residents are immigrants, or elderly individuals who have lived in Maribyrnong long before it was classified as a flood zone.

The day before the October 14th flood live news reports shared that the SES warned that a only a handful of houses, and the Anglers Tavern may be closed for a few days (video: www.MaribyrnongFloods.com). We now know how flawed these predictions and models were, and it is difficult to have confidence that future models and predictions will be any more accurate given authorities were unable to provide any information on exactly how many homes, businesses, community groups and cars were destroyed by the flood event, 5 months on from the flood. When asked, SES noted that it would be too difficult and time intensive to knock on all the doors in the area to find out if home owners had been affected, the same door knock they allege to have carried out days before the flood to warn everyone.

Living in a flood zone is associated with a higher risk of property damage and personal harm during heavy rains or storms. The case of Maribyrnong highlights the importance of proactive measures to prevent or mitigate these risks. In 1986, the Metropolitan Board of Water Works (now Melbourne Water) published a comprehensive report following a 12-year study of the 1974 flood, outlining the cost and benefits of investing in the Arundel Dam as an upstream solution (www.arundelbasin.com). However, 37 years have passed since the report's publication, and there are still no clear answers as to why this solution was not implemented, resulting in a repetition of history. This inaction had dire consequences, as 48 retirement homes built in an area re-classed as no longer flood-prone were inundated, displacing dozens of elderly citizens. It is vital that authorities take responsibility for implementing effective prevention measures to protect individuals and communities in flood-prone areas, especially given the potential for devastating consequences.

It is absurd that after conducting a 12-year review and identifying an infrastructure solution to protect hundreds of citizens, authorities chose to ignore their own advice. Instead, they implemented sneaky planning overlays and rules that restrict homeowners from building garden beds, fences, or even putting a roller door on their garage under the guise of "water flow." This situation highlights the need for better accountability and transparency in decision-making related to flood prevention and infrastructure. It is time for authorities to prioritise the safety and well-being of citizens over bureaucratic red tape and loopholes.

Holding the perpetrator of a flood accountable is a challenging task, as we cannot control the weather or the rainclouds that linger over a region. However, we can demand accountability and action from our government and other authorities responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities. Instead of focusing on bureaucratic red tape and loopholes, we must prioritise the development of effective solutions that protect all individuals, particularly those who are most vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters.

Thank you for signing and sharing this petition. Together, we can work towards a safer and more resilient future for ourselves and future generations.