By Mikayla van Loon
Residents of Coldstream, who have been battling flooding and inundation for numerous years, have joined calls from nearby suburbs for improved drainage.
Submitting a petition, signed by 40 residents, to Yarra Ranges Council on 19 January it urges “immediate and effective action regarding the inadequate drainage system”.
Lead petitioner and Coldstream resident of 20 years, Julia Lamonica spoke at the first council meeting of the year on 30 January to draw attention to the impact of the floodwater and the recurring stress of inundation.
“Seven minutes is the time it took for my house to be flooded in October 2022,” she said.
“Seven minutes was all the time I had to pack a towel, a purse, an iPad. To get my daughter and puppy to my neighbours. To tell my son the night before his VCE English exam to put his dinner away and save whatever he could. The floodwater was approaching and I didn’t know how high it would get in seven minutes.
“We lost our furniture, clothing, shoes, my children’s beds and bedrooms were destroyed. Blankets, books, lots of stuff. And that’s all it was, stuff, but in those seven minutes we also lost our home. The only home my children knew. In seven minutes we were homeless.”
It took 10 months for Ms Lamonica and her family to return to their family home, with around $400,000 worth of damage thankfully covered by insurance.
Ms Lamonica’s home is located on Station Street, a road currently without curb and channel and only three identified stormwater pits, with no connection, to capture the water, according to IntraMaps.
The council announced $400,000 worth of funding for drainage in the 2023-24 to 2032-33 capital expenditure program.
“The budget allocated to Coldstream of $400,000 is embarrassing. If you’re serious about fixing issues, then you know this will not suffice. It won’t even be a bandaid,” Ms Lamonica said.
Raising concern about the growing developments in both Lilydale and Coldstream, Ms Lamonica said the current infrastructure already could not cope with rain.
“Maroondah Highway, Killara Road and Station Street will suffer greatly by the new housing estate of 60 new homes tapping into drains that are already not coping.
“With massive development in Lilydale, it flows down to Coldstream. These low, medium and high density housing developments the shire is spilling out left, right and centre are straining our already inadequate and poorly maintained drains. These are not one in 100 year floods. It’s called rain.”
In response, Councillor Fiona McAllister said drainage would be a key part of budget discussions in coming days and weeks.
“Drainage, I think the other councillors around the table will agree, that it is definitely the number one item in our budget discussions for the next budgets,” she said.
Councillors accepted the petition to be further investigated, with Cr McAllister saying it was without hesitation.
“$400,000 may not resolve the problem but it is a step in the right direction and I would assure all our submitters and again, I know after years of feeling hurt, it probably doesn’t reassure you, but there is absolute focus from Melbourne Water and your Yarra Ranges Council in terms of finding ways to resolve the issues,” she said.
“Action of course is needed and yes, quite probably more money.”
Cr Jim Child seconded both supporting the petition and that drainage would be at the top of the list in the budget.
“This is a topic that’s right front and centre for us here in council. We’ve set a strategic direction for the team, and there’ll be positive discussions that will be held at our budget workshop,” he said.
“We must look at drainage and those particular items of infrastructure that can be addressed now for quick wins that achieve results in these storm events whether it’s keeping our main drains clear so those storm waters can actually disperse. But there is a bigger story there. And that’s the part that we’re addressing now.”
The petition was accepted unanimously.
