Plea for help to fix Wonga Beach flooding
Shire environment
The clearing of a trio of drains in Wonga Beach is waiting on State Government Environment Department approval as frustrated locals continue to endure localised flooding.
Douglas Shire Council Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said an application had been lodged with the Environment Department (DETSI) for approval to open and carry out ongoing maintenance on three drains at Dewal Close, Oasis Avenue and Marlin Drive.
“Council is aware of community concerns about the blocked drains, but without a permit and the necessary consent, undertaking works in the tidal zone would be unlawful,” Mayor Scomazzon said.
“Council undertakes annual drainage maintenance in Wonga and routine inspections and works continue across the area.”
Wonga resident Ian Arcus said, if the outfalls to the ocean are not cleared, the stormwater has nowhere to go and just backs up in the drains.
“This in turn forces the water into the streets, which fills the streets and then causes water to enter properties,” Mr Arcus said.
“If you discuss with locals who have lived in the area virtually all of their lives, it is easy to ascertain that some of the drains and natural watercourses are either being ignored or have been filled up over the years, either due to housing development, or other forms of construction.
“This raises serious concerns in relation to the proposed new resort development at Wonga Beach, as several of the stormwater drainage channels flow near the area,” he said.
“If the resort is built, this resort is going to see a massive increase in the stormwater runoff in the area,” Mr Arcus said.
Close to 70 luxury units have been proposed for the long-vacant “Redbacks” site at Wonga Beach as part of a “world class luxury and service resort complex”.
A development application has been submitted to the DSC for the site at 18 Oasis Drive.
Mayor Scomazzon, however, said any resort development application “would be assessed through the formal planning process, including stormwater management requirements”.
A council workshop was held at Wonga in November which included a flood engineer from JB Pacific Consulting and a Tropical Australia weather intel expert.
The forum discussed topics such as “flood risk understanding” and “mitigation and adaptation”.
A DETSI spokesperson said the department had received a pre-lodgement application from Douglas Shire Council for proposed drainage improvement works at Wonga Beach.
"We are working with the council and providing advice on any further approvals that may be required as they finalise the project’s design and scope," they said.