By Dongyun Kwon
Queens Park in Healesville is under repairs due to the high rainfall across the Yarra Ranges in July.
As a flood plain, the parkland stores water during heavy rains, which has caused the need for repairs.
Yarra Ranges Council built environment and infrastructure director Hjalmar Philipp said the council’s teams are working to restore Queens Park and its playground, following heavy rainfall.
“The park, like many in Yarra Ranges, is built on a floodplain and is part of the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay (LSIO), as is River Street and surrounding areas near the Watts River,” he said.
“This means there isn’t much we can do to avoid flooding when we experience heavy rainfall, as these areas take on excess water when adjacent rivers and creeks break their banks.
“However, the Queens Park Playspace was built-up with rockwork to mitigate the impact of flooding when it was constructed.”
To ensure safety, Yarra Ranges Council has put up temporary fencing around the affected area while completing the works.
The council aims to finish the repairs within four to five weeks, weather permitting.
“We’re expecting works to be completed soon and have not seen major damage from the floodwaters,” Mr Philipp said.
“We’d like to thank the community for their patience as we navigate works, following one of the wettest Julys on record.”
