Landowner describes works as unnecessary
The $1.8 million project was funded by council in last year’s budget, but some of the works will be carried over into this financial year.
But, adjoining landowner Duncan McNeil said the works were “totally unnecessary” and an “absolute waste.”
An analysis of the basin determined that works needed to be undertaken to ensure Warragul’s increased residential development in recent years and ongoing subdivisions did not detrimentally impact drainage.
Acting community assets director David Dunstan said the Warragul township suffered severe flooding during a storm event in 1990.
He said the then Warragul Rural City council received a grant to undertake a flood study to mitigate flooding from the Spring and Hazel Creeks.
Mr Dunstan said the consultants recommended a number of mitigating options and as a result, the Tarwin St retarding basin was constructed to provide flood protection for the township.
“Warragul has grown considerably since 1990, with many large subdivisions being constructed.
“To ensure due diligence in the provision of flood protection to residents and the general public, council engaged GHD Consultants to carry out an analysis for the current Tarwin Street basin to verify that this major flood protection asset meets the current best practice as set out by the Australian National Committee on Large Dams (ANCOLD).
Mr Dunstan said the outcomes of GHD’s modelling and analysis indicated the retarding basin embankment required a major upgrade to provide immunity against severe flooding events.
The works included upgrading the dam wall that forms part of the retardation basin at Tarwin Street. It is located north west of Tarwin St, along the western alignment of Sutton Street.
Mr Dunstan said the sand and fine rock aggregates formed the filter medium for the downstream batter of the dam including the concrete dissipater chamber.
He said the dam embankment will be finished with transition rock and rock armouring, in accordance with the design requirements.
Mr McNeil said when the basin was originally built about 15 years ago, two large pipes were installed at the bottom to allow the water to flow through and if necessary rise over the spillway.
He said now consultants had come up with this new idea which he said was over the top and not needed.
Mr McNeil said for what he could see, hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of sand and rock had been placed into the retarding basin.
The dam wall which forms part of the retardation basin was designed by GHD and the contractor who is carrying out the works is Madcat Constructions Pty Ltd.
Council also has allocated $1.7 million in its current budget for the Tarwin St retarding basin and wetlands project, which is a different project to the current construction works.