Residents oppose flood mapping

"If we're going to flood at the peak of a hill, God help Baw Baw."

This was the voice of objector John Gedye appealing for councillors to oppose the C144 planning scheme amendment to flood mapping at last week's council meeting.

Mr Gedye, together with Jade Gedye, was one of six residents to make a submission to last week, in addition to four written submissions.

Many raised concerns of decreased property values if the flood overlay was approved on their properties, despite never being impacted by flooding. Others noted mapping anomalies and lack of response from water authorities and the shire.

Danny Mills raised two mapping anomalies and urged the proposed amendment to be abandoned.

"I'd like to see the councillors take the position to protect the interest of the ratepayers and abandon this," he said.

He said one anomaly was 11 properties in Boronia St, Warragul being impacted despite having a two to three metre higher elevation than a school site 90m across the road. This school site is not in the overlay.

Having owned a property there for 40 years, Mr Mills stated "that water course has never broken its banks".

"The (overlays) will make that property unattractive and will encompass future burdens on it in regards to redevelopment."

Stuart Brock, representing Warragul residents, opposed the excessive use of the proposed flood overlay on a property in which two creeks run through.

"With these proposed increases of the flood overlay, we feel though it will dramatically affect the value of the property," Mr Brock stated.

Jan Morton of Sutton St, Warragul, said "there are a lot of reports...and there is also a lot of confusion".

Currently in the process of subdividing, Ms Morton stated the proposal had already adversely impacted the property value.

This is despite the property not impacted by the existing 2013 overlay and housing development to the north since, she said.

"All of a sudden it's impacting on us," Ms Morton said. "We've never seen water on our property."

Philip Young opposed council placing another control on his property at Neerim South.

Born in the area, he stated the catchment areas there were very small and "the creeks don't flood".

Geoff Matthews said the proposed overlay covered 50 per cent of his Warragul property. He questioned if future developments were factored in.

Ms Gedye said several family properties throughout Neerim South and Jindivick would be affected, and were "dissatisfied" with lack of response from both West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and Melbourne Water.

"It is disappointing that neither authority have reached out to conduct a site visit or discuss our concerns in more detail considering we have multiple properties affected by the proposed amendment and we have valid concerns relating to the extent/accuracy of the flood mapping provided."

In a written submission, Laurence Mobbs said Amendment C144 had already affected the value of his property.

"Before this amendment, I was receiving double amount offers being made to me. Because this amendment affects the future development opportunities for my property."

"It is not my responsibility to provide you my farming land for your residential developments."

Richard Stanios also made a submission urging the shire to consider its obligations to roads and other areas it owns.

He believed flood mitigation works at locations such as Neagle St and Glen Rd, Yarragon would assist runoff flow. This could be of importance in a 100 year flood event described.