Community experiences of the 2022 Australian floods - South Australia, Victoria and south-western New South Wales

Research has begun in South Australia, Victoria and south-western New South Wales after the flooding in these states, beginning August 2022 and continuing through March 2023. 

This research builds on similar studies that were also undertaken after flooding during 2022 in Queensland and New South Wales (complete) and Tasmania (in progress). This research in Victoria and South Australia will use the same methodology employed in this previous studies, involving in-depth interviews and a survey. 

The survey is open to anyone aged 18 and over who was affected by the flooding in South Australia, Victoria or south-western New South Wales between August 2022 and March 2023.

Flooding occurred at different dates across the three states during this period:

South Australia: Flooding occurred along the Murray River in South Australia from October 2022 to March 2023. The researcher are interested to hear from people affected during this time. Communities and townships affected include, but are not limited to: Renmark, Loxton, Barmera, Cobdolga, Waikerie, Morgan, Blanchetown, Mannum, Murray Bridge, Meningie and Goolwa.

Victoria: Victoria experienced severe weather including heavy and intense rainfall over the period of 12 to 14 October 2022. The researchers are interested to hear from people affected during this time. Communities and townships affected include, but are not limited to: Ballarat, Bendigo, Echuca, Kerang, Maribyrnong, Mildura, Mooroopna, Rochester, Seymour, Shepparton and Swan Hill.

New South Wales: Flooding occurred along the Murray and Darling River systems from August 2022 to February 2023. Researchers are interested to here from people affected during this time. The towns affected include, but are not limited to: Corowa, Moama, Deniliquin, Barham, Moulamein, Balranald, Wentworth, Broken Hill and Menindee.

While the recent floods in December 2023 to January 2024 are not the focus of the study, if you were affected by these floods a few questions will be asked.

The in-depth interviews with community members and key stakeholder representatives (for example, SES staff and volunteers and other relevant personnel) will focus on distinct case studies in six locations across northern Victoria and South Australia to explore: 

• How people responded in areas impacted with moderate and longer lead times for floodwater arriving
• the experiences of First Nations peoples
• the experiences of those who are culturally and linguistically diverse.

Interviews are currently being undertaken in Rochester and Echuca. Other interview locations to be confirmed.

Sign up for an interview here.