Melbourne residents fume as out of touch Racing Victoria boss DEFENDS decision to flood-protect the famous Flemington Racecourse – as they claim it left thousands at risk of flooding
- Racing Victoria boss said flood-protecting had to happen at Flemington track
- With state hammered by rain, some neighbouring homes now at risk of flooding
- Andrew Jones reiterated on TV racing at the iconic sporting venue will continue
- Also added Spring Carnival generates millions for Victoria’s economy annually
Scores of Melbourne residents are seething after Racing Victoria CEO Andrew Jones publicly defended the decision to flood-protect Flemington Racecourse.
It has resulted in high volumes of water dangerously shifting from the iconic track towards the homes of locals in neighbouring properties near the Maribyrnong River.
In recent days, heavy rainfall has lashed Victoria and on Saturday morning a man, 71, was found dead in his backyard at Rochester, in rural Victoria.
Back in 2007, flood walls were controversially built to protect the home of the Melbourne Cup.
With many people at risk of losing their homes or facing a hefty clean up bill, Jones has come under fire for his out of touch comments.
While the Flemington racetrack remains in good condition, heavy water has created flooding concerns (pictured) for neighouring residents
An aerial shot of the Flemington course, which is protected from instances of flooding
‘It’s a difficult situation,’ he told Nine’s Today Show on Saturday morning.
‘The VRC took steps to flood-protect its property 15 years ago, which it is entitled to do (and) that’s obviously had unintended consequences for neighbouring residents.
‘Obviously there was no intention of the VRC to cause harm. They tried to protect the spring carnival and the Melbourne Cup carnival, which is a massively important part of Victorian life and the Victorian economy, so I think this is an unintended consequence.’
Jones went onto state there were ‘no big fears for big meetings’ during the spring carnival, including Saturday’s Group One Caulfield Cup.
‘Racing Victoria has invested very heavily alongside clubs for a number of years to make sure that the drainage at our tracks is as good as possible,’ he said.
‘We are in reasonably good shape and don’t expect any washed out race meetings.’
Racing Victoria CEO Andrew Jones has come under fire after publicly defending the decision to flood-protect Flemington Racecourse
Jones’ views attracted an avalanche of criticism on social media.
Plenty took to Twitter to voice their outrage of ‘prioritising a racecourse over homes.’
In 2004, despite objections from residents and three local councils, the then-Labor government approved a rock wall to protect the Flemington racecourse from flooding.
Local resident and historian Liz Crash said the area near the racecourse had always been a floodplain.
‘This has always been a huge concern for the community,’ Ms Crash told the ABC.
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