By LIA SPENCER
TWO years after floods ripped through the City of Casey, the council has vowed to rectify a drainage problem for a group of Hampton Park residents.
Flood affected residents from The Grove voiced their concerns to the City of Casey councillors Damien Rosaio, Wayne Smith and Manager of Engineering David Richardson at a meeting with Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley last week.
The meeting was held at Chris Coughlan-Ward’s, The Grove house, whose yard was inundated by water on two occasions.
In June last year, Mr Coughlan-Ward said he had asked the council to fix the drains behind his house, between Shrives and Pound Road, after floods caused $150,000 damage to his home in February 2011.
He said the run off comes from private land behind his house and that he built a retaining wall, but it just pushed water into his neighbour’s yard.
Council said there was a private open drain located at the rear of properties in The Grove and had provided a culvert under the shared path in Shrives Road to allow water to drain away from the open drain. But after further inspection, the council said they would investigate what else could be done to address the problem.
Mr Richardson announced at last week’s meeting that Casey Council planned to build an open drain behind the properties on the east side of the Grove to protect the properties from the overland stormwater flows from the land draining towards the Grove properties. The works are currently planned to be undertaken this summer.
Ms Graley said it was a fantastic outcome for affected local residents who had been through so much and worked so tirelessly to have the flooding addressed.
“The Casey Community Floods Support Group led by Michele Halsall and the local community have done an outstanding job in supporting those affected by the floods,” Ms Graley said.
“Their tireless efforts should be commended and it gives me great pleasure to now be able to reassure local residents that works are now planned to alleviate the flooding. I urge the City of Casey to ensure the works are performed as soon as possible.”
Michele Halsall, Convenor of the Casey Community Flood Support Group said that the planned works were a big relief for local community.
“This has been an ongoing issue for local residents for a number of years and I am just so pleased that Council and residents have come together to find a solution,” Ms Halsall said.
“It was a long and hard struggle, but it was worth every moment to safeguard our community.”
Mr Coughlan-Ward said he was also pleased with the outcome and looked forward to the works being completed.
