FLOOD QUESTIONS BUT A DROUGHT OF ANSWERS
Elanora and Tallebudgera residents suspect M1 roadworks are to blame for flooding during last month’s deluge ... but are yet to receive any answers
FOR once, “unprecedented” does not apply.
And for Elanora residents, that’s the real worry.
While the rain poured down on that southern suburb and its surrounds last month, meteorology reports show the March inundation did not reach the falls recorded during 2017’s ex-cyclone Debbie deluge.
But what did reach new levels was the flooding through that precinct.
Homes in Tallebudgera and Elanora adjacent to Schuster Park, including Larch St, Heather St, Daffodil St and Kentia Crt, were swamped and even submerged, despite never being previously so affected by floodwaters.
So why now? Residents have their suspicions. And the prime suspect is M1 construction and roadworks.
Speaking to Matt Webber on ABC Gold Coast, resident Scott Johnson says he is leading a push to have the Elanora floods investigated.
“There’s no doubt the water rose to levels never seen before in this area,” he told the ABC.
“Whilst we’ve only been here four years, in helping people evacuate their homes and their area and in conversation with them, it’s unlike anything ever before. Houses have been affected that never were before.
It’s just that, in our case, we feel we have been impacted by a manmade project … so that should surely mean there can be a manmade solution
“We’re trying to undertake an investigation as to why that is … there’s little doubt that (the M1 bridge works) has had some implications to it.
“You only have to walk down under that bridge area, it’s been narrowed while this development has been undertaken to put the bridge across.
“That’s not the only thing. We’ve lost natural flood relief along the western side of the freeway as well.
“The meteorology report we’re using shows the 2017 rains were bigger, so ‘unprecedented’ doesn’t apply here. But the damage is much greater.
“The only big change in the area is the M1 construction.”
Mr Johnson’s words are echoed in the experience of members of my own family.
Having lived in the same house, west of the M1 near Schuster Park, for 35 years, they never had floodwaters enter their home. Until 2022.
Their family home was submerged and they had to be rescued by boat. Now they are living in rental accommodation until their home is eventually repaired.
Mr Johnson told the ABC that residents simply want to understand why this has happened and what they can do about it. But their pleas to
the government have gone unanswered.
“I have tried and tried to speak to the minister (for transport, Mark Bailey) to get documentation so we can look at what the issues are … but I’ve got crickets.
“We’ve heard nothing. I’ve written to every part of government – local, state and federal – and heard diddly squat.
“We have a lot of questions and we just want to see the documentation that we have every right, under the Freedom of Information Act, to view. But no one will answer us. It feels like there is something to hide.
“We want the Environmental Impact Study of the M1 upgrade, all flood mitigation reports and the infrastructure sustainability
rating for the project. That should be readily available and not too much to ask for.
“This has impacted our environment and homes and we just want to find a solution.
“We understand this flooding has happened all throughout the state and NSW and we’re not more important than anyone. It’s just that, in our case, we feel we have been impacted by a man-made project … so that should surely mean there can be a man-made solution.”
While it’s undeniable that the M1 needs upgrading, we have to ensure that any and every change we make to this growing city is sustainable.
Whether or not there is truly something to hide in this case, it seems obvious that being open and transparent
with information is essential. And yet, far too often, it remains elusive.
It’s similar to the situation faced by opponents of the light rail. As much as I support that public infrastructure, I sympathise with the plight of those who feel unheard by politicians. For stressed-out residents, no news is not good news.
Meanwhile, the office for Transport Minister Mark Bailey, who this week tested positive for Covid, told the ABC that it understands community concerns but it was “not possible to speculate” until further analysis was completed.
The office did not address residents’ specific requests for documents.
And that response, sadly, feels all too precedented.