Avoca Recreation Reserve Flood Mitigation Investigation

Published on 04 August 2025

The Avoca Recreation Reserve Flood Mitigation Investigation final report has been received and considered by Pyrenees Shire Council after the township was badly affected by 2022 floods.

The floods caused over $1.4 million in damage and led to extensive closures of both the Avoca Recreation Reserve and the Avoca Men’s Shed, which also heavily impacted the community.

Council resolved to:

• Work with the community to investigate Avoca Recreation Reserve relocation options, including feasibility and viability
• Work with the Avoca Men’s Shed group to investigate relocation options that could leverage existing community facilities and the investment requirements for any relocation
• Investigate funding for an existing levee extension from the pétanque piste court to near the football oval’s main entrance to further protect the Avoca Recreation Reserve

The Avoca Recreation Reserve Flood Mitigation Investigation was conducted by Victorian Government funded consultant Water Technology and managed by Pyrenees Shire Council with technical support from the North Central Catchment Management Authority.

Substantial community engagement was also carried out, including a community feedback session on 2 July.

Pyrenees Shire Mayor Cr Tanya Kehoe said it was vital these valuable community assets were protected from any further flooding of the Avoca River.

“We have been very thorough in canvassing all options for the Avoca Recreation Reserve and the Avoca Men’s Shed,” Cr Kehoe said.

“We have taken the community’s concerns and preferred options on board in coming up with these options that we think will provide the best possible safeguards for the recreation reserve and the men’s shed – both of which are so important to Avoca’s wellbeing.”