Asking the million-dollar question about why Wonga streets keep flooding
Flood mitigation
A $1.35m plan to fix the drainage at Wonga has been unveiled by Douglas Shire Council.
Flooding after heavy rain has been an ongoing frustration for Wonga locals, with several contacting Newsport in the past year pleading for state and local governments to find a solution.
A report tabled in last week’s DSC meeting stated the plans, which are still in the pre-concept and feasibility study stage, will aim to reduce the number of flooded buildings from 20 and 12 during times of heavy inundation between the ranges of a one-in-five-year flood through to a one-in-100-year flood.
Mayor Lisa Scomazzon spoke out in favour of the Wonga project during the meeting, singling it out from a list of mooted flood-mitigation initiatives the council wants to undertake.
“Some of the projects are fantastic,” Mayor Scomazzon said.
“One of them that I think is great is the improvements to stormwater drainage in Wonga.”
The project had now been identified in the 2023 Wonga Beach Flood Study and Drainage Assessment flood study, and now was the time to get it moving, she said.
Several of the other councillors agreed.
The report tabled in the meeting stated: “Wonga Beach is a low lying beachside community that is increasingly experiencing flooding and inundation of residences in recent events, including intense short period rainfall.”
“The flood mapping and drainage assessment study in Wonga Beach has identified various options to reduce flooding and inundation of residences in the township.”
In February, a Newsport investigation found the clearing of a trio of drains in Wonga Beach was waiting on State Government Environment Department approval while frustrated locals continued to endure localised flooding.
Mayor Scomazzon said at the time 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.
“Without a permit and the necessary consent, undertaking works in the tidal zone would be unlawful,” she said.
Wonga resident Ian Arcus said at the time, if the outfalls to the ocean were not cleared, the stormwater had nowhere to go and just backed 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.”
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 in February it was working with the council as it finalised the project’s design and scope.”
