General News
29 June, 2026
River town puts plan in place
BRIDGEWATER has launched a vital community resource to help district residents plan, respond and recover during emergencies.
BRIDGEWATER has launched a vital community resource to help district residents plan, respond and recover during emergencies.
The Loddon River town hit by major floods twice in less than 20 years last Thursday launched its community preparedness and response plan.
Bridgewater on Loddon Development has driven the plan, drawing on personal experiences during disaster and emergency to give residents a practical guide navigating floods and storms, road closures and fires.
President Jill Hobbs said: “We couldn’t get out of town for five days after the 2011 floods.”
“And I remember going to have a look at the river levels in (October) 2022 about 5.30am. I went straight home and woke everyone up ... we got our bags packed and had them at the door. “Then we went to the sandbagging station and started filling bags. We kept occupied and also made sure elderly neighbours were safe.”
The plan tells residents that the place of last resort is the Bridgewater Memorial Hall where Thursday’s launch and community awareness evening with police, CFA, SES, Inglewood and Districts Health Service and Inglewood Community Bank presentations was held.
Practical advice when the bridge is closed tells people to go to the hall on the south side or the service station on the north.
“Take the initiative. The earlier you are prepared, the easier it is to respond,” Jill said.
Cr Miki Wilson said the plan was “what community is about and BOLD is a fantastic organisation, shown by the tme and knowledge put into preparing this guide for all residents.”
“Let’s hope the plan never has to be used ... but if it is, the plan is in place to help people,” she said.
Jill said: “When an emergency occurs, we all share the responsibility for staying safe. The plan aims to help everyone understand how to plan for themselves, neighbours and friends.
“It is normal to experience anxiety, stress and alarm when there is an emergency or a warning about potential threats.
“As we know, talking with family, neighbours and friends can help everyone stay safe.”
The 2011 January floods were the second largest recorded in Loddon’s history and significantly bigger than the September and December events in 2010.
Only the floods of 1909 were bigger.
In Bridgewater, 50 houses, as well as the police station, caravan park and businesses were flooded. In October 2022 the Loddon River at Bridgewater peaked just a metre below the town record set in 2011.
“We hope the community plan will make residents aware of what happens in an emergency and guide them in planning and responding in the future,” Jill said on Thursday night.
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