Bill Shorten shares his views on the Flemington flood wall controversy

The member for Maribyrnong has warned against jumping to conclusions about the impact of a wall surrounding Flemington racecourse on recent flooding in the area.

Some people are claiming the three-metre wall, built in 2007, pushed water away from the track and back onto homes.

Bill Shorten told Neil Mitchell he lobbied against the wall at the time, but said there was no proof that had actually happened.

“But I think it’s important for the residents of the community just to be reassured that isn’t the case,” he said on 3AW, welcoming an investigation into the matter.

Press PLAY below to hear Bill Shorten’s view

Geoff Crapper is a hydrology and flood warning specialist and was responsible for Melbourne’s flood warning service at Melbourne Water from 1989 to 2003.

He told Neil Mitchell the construction of the wall was opposed by “virtually everyone” but rubber-stamped by then-Labor minister for planning, Mary Delahunty.

Press PLAY below to hear his thoughts on the matter

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview with Bill Shorten

(Photo by Sam Mooy/Getty Images)