Residents call for flood mapping inspections
A Warragul couple has called for individual property inspections before any amendments are made to flood overlays.
Jan and Allen Morton said a majority of their Sutton St property was included in updated mapping despite no records of it flooding in the past 132 years.
Even with recent heavy rains, they said the small creek behind their property was some distance away and remained at “a trickle”. Another nearby creek slopes downhill and away from their property.
“This week has shown the water goes away entirely,” Allen said. “We’ve never had water laying around here.”
“It seems to be done without proper groundwork, but rather guess work,” Jan said. “We just feel that we’ve got to prove we don’t get flooded, but they don’t have to prove anything.”
“Every property affected should be inspected individually, not just on a computer,” she added.
The couple said there was plenty of confusion over Amendment C144 - Baw Baw Flood Mapping Update.
Affecting 3700 property owners across the Baw Baw Shire, Cr Danny Goss spoke at a recent council meeting urging property owners to know the ramifications of their land being identified in the flood overlays. He said rising insurance and decreased property values were on the cards.
Amendment C144 proposes to amend maps for the Floodway Overlay (FO) and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay (LSIO), both of which are designed to ensure flood risk and community safety in flood prone areas is appropriately managed.
Having purchased the property nine years ago, Jan and Allen knew a small sliver was affected by a flood overlay. However, they were shocked to learn a majority of their property would be affected by the proposed mapping changes.
“The letter didn’t say much, it was vague,” Jan said.
They followed up with a 15-minute meeting at the arts centre to discuss their concerns with West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority representatives.
“We could have gone further, but we didn’t know we could do that. We had no advice on what we could do.”
Having already submitted plans to subdivide their property, Jan and Allen have already felt the impacts of the proposed overlay.
“Several people having property inspections have commented on this, resulting in the need to reconsider our asking price,” Jan said.
The couple have sought records of flooding from the local historical society and Gazette.
“We cannot find any documentation to support flooding on our property, but we have found documents that do support no flooding on our property going back to 1890,” Jan said.
Allen said the mapping stated their property may incur a 0.01 to 0.02 metre flood in a onein-100 year event, the equivalent of 1cm to 2cm of water coverage.
“I could do more damage with my hose,” he said.
Based on 2013 mapping, they also argue new housing developments since then should have improved drainage in the area.
They are confused why almost the entirety of their property is included, whilst three lots to the east were barely impacted despite seemingly being at a lower level.
In conjunction with several other objections to the amendment, the couple believes the mapping was inaccurate and flawed.
Public meeting tonight
A public meeting will be held tonight at the West Gippsland Arts Centre for residents to voice concerns over flood mapping changes.
The meeting, from 5.30pm to 7pm, provides residents the opportunity to ask questions, seek clarification and express concerns.
Shire officers and representatives of West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and Melbourne Water will be in attendance. Submissions close on September 1 at 5pm. All submissions already received will be recognised as part of this proposed amendment process.