Floods in UCI ‘plans’

Kim Waters
ORGANISERS are preparing contingency plans in case of flooding during UCI World Championship cycling in Geelong next month, according to a councillor.
Bruce Harwood said organisers could divert riders to Mount Pleasant Road if flooding closed part of the course along the Barwon River.
The course could even turn “back on itself” if Breakwater Road closed, he said.
Residents have raised concerns about the impact of flooding on the race and traffic if this month’s heavy rain continues into September.
The race through the central city area, Geelong West, Newtown, Highton and Belmont will close a series of roads as hundreds of thousands of visitors arrive for the event from September 28 to October 3.
Cr Harwood said the organisers were “finalising” their contingency plans.
“They’ve suggested that if the Barwon River floods Mount Pleasant Road will come further into play,” Cr Harwood said.
“If there is extreme flooding and the Breakwater Bridge is affected they may have to look at turning the course back onto itself.”
Cr Harwood said flooding during the event was “unlikely”.
“These contingencies are being discussed by the committee and they will have more information in the future. While it’s unlikely, you do have to plan for these things.”
Geelong Environment Council president Joan Lindros warned that last September was the city’s “biggest” month for rain in 2009.
“With the flooding we’ve already had the ground is solidly wet and that will increase the likelihood it will happen again during heavy rain,” she said.
“Organisers need to work out a fall-back plan and inform residents before the race because that (riverside) section of the track may be unusable.”