There are over 50k residents in Shepparton and surrounds.
I didn't ask why only 25 bags, obviously our friends had more pressing issues to deal with
But to give out sandbags you need to be able to get sand delivered to make them and distribute.
Seeing that there other regions affected including metro Melbourne needing sand, roads were blocked all over the state I think the demand far outweighed what could be transported .. but I'll be sure to ask our friends once this is all over
And just on the desal plant. People are aware it was commissioned and built when our state water catchments were at less than 25% due to one of the worse droughts ever? We were running out of water and the need for alternative water supplies was needed. Sure new dams could have been built as some suggested but you need rain to fill dams.
And Frankie thank you for posting the link to the Age article. I read that that dam idea was also rejected in 1976, 2 years after the last big flood in Maribyrnong. The 1974 levels were almost exactly the same as this week's levels.
It was also proposed in 1986 but again nothing was done. So it would appear that multiple governments have failed.