Furious over flooding woes

By Lia Bichel
FLOODS tore through homes in Casey five months ago, but for a Narre Warren South resident, the clean-up is far from over.
Craig Barndon, 40, moved back into his Jennings Court home eight weeks ago after the floods destroyed his home, furniture, caravan and even caused his dog to get sick from mold.
Mr Barndon said his home was one of the hardest hit on Jennings Court because land behind his property was not maintained and did not have accurate drainage which caused water to flow into his yard and home.
He said he and his wife were worried that if council did not address the problem, his family would once again fall victim to another flood.
Mr Barndon said he asked the council to address the problem, but felt like his requests were falling on deaf ears.
“Council told me that I was not a high priority,” Mr Barndon said. “It’s very frustrating. I have spent about $2500 to re-landscape my yard and will have to spend more money if the council does not address the problem.”
Neighbouring resident Fay Van Ekram, 64, is also worried about flooding. She owns a property on Jennings Court, which her daughter lived in until the February floods.
She said water ran into her house from land near Glasscocks Road on numerous occasions. “Everytime there was heavy rainfall water would get in the house,” she said. “Council needs a better drainage system.”
Ms Van Ekram said she too voiced her concerns to council, dating back to when she first purchased the house in 2005. “I have faxed them many times and warned the council that it would flood,” she said.
“I just want them to fix it.”
City of Casey manager engineering and asset management David Richardson said the council managed an unused road reserve behind the properties which was designated for the future extension of Glasscocks Road. Mr Richardson said the land sloped north east towards the back of the properties abutting Jennings Court and works would be undertaken once the land dried.
“Previous works have been undertaken in the reserve to limit the overland flow towards the properties and further works are planned following the February storm flood event,” he said. “As the reserve is currently too wet to undertake works, they are scheduled to be undertaken after the reserve dries out in spring.”