By ANEEKA SIMONIS
CONSTRUCTION works in Cardinia have ignited fresh flooding concerns by residents calling for additional drainage to protect their at-risk properties.
They may not have the solution residents were asking for, but authorities have vowed to do all they can to reduce the risk of flooding without diverting potential floodwater onto surrounding properties.
Properties north of Ballarto Road, Cardinia are at a higher threat of flooding.
It’s a problem in part caused by the road itself, approximately half a metre higher than the surrounding properties, acting as a bank causing water to pool on the lower-set properties.
The area is also only serviced by one Melbourne Water managed culvert located under Cardinia Road near Gum Scrub Creek – and residents, including John Hobson, claim it’s not enough.
He and at least four other Ballarto Road property owners are campaigning to have another culvert installed beneath the road to help drain the water.
They put their case to VicRoads and Melbourne Water, highlighting further fears underway resealing works at Ballarto Road will threaten to worsen the problem due to potential increased height of the road surface.
“I don’t think it’s fair that the water banks up around my place,” he said, explaining Cyclone Yasi devastated his property and home in 2011, causing $80,000 worth of damage.
VicRoads Metro South East Director of Operations Michael Barker said engineers have met with residents in relation to these concerns and have adapted their $1.51 million construction project to minimise the risk of flooding to surrounding properties.
“As a result of them sharing their local knowledge with us, we now have a design in place for our roadworks which won’t increase the road height level on Ballarto Road,” he said.
He said the request for additional drainage was investigated but was deemed unsuitable.
Instead, deep channel drains located on the north side of Ballarto Road will be reshaped by VicRoads to improve their functionality.
“We are improving roadside drainage and a number of drain crossings downstream from the concerned residents which will assist the water flow,” he said.
Melbourne Water is aware of the flooding issues experiences north of Ballarto Road, but believe the installation of a second culvert beneath the road will only shift flood waters onto properties south of Ballarto Road.
“Taking this into account, Melbourne Water does not currently have plans to construct additional culverts,” the Melbourne Water spokesperson said.
Residents met with State Bass MP Brian Paynter to discuss the issue on Tuesday 10 May.
Resealing works started on Monday 2 May and will be completed by mid-June.
