Bellarine Times
Tuesday 23 August 2011
VOL 4. No 34
www.bellarinetimes.com.au
FREE WEEKLY
OVER FLOW
New flood overlay amendment in Barwon Heads is causing a stir.
BY HAMISH BROOKS SOME Barwon Heads residents are confused and put out by what appears to be an ad hoc approach to a new flood overlay amendment. One resident, who didn’t want to be named, said that the feeling of some people in the town was that the council were making it up as they go along. “If I want to add anything to my house, like a new room or garage, even though the slab already exists, there’s a chance I might have to build it up 400 mil,” he said. City of Greater Geelong’s general manager of city services Gary Van Driel said recent flood management studies of Barwon Heads and south east Ocean Grove recommended designating the areas as flood prone. “The application of a flood overlay will not generally affect the right to develop land but may inform how the land is developed. “For example the city may advise that a raised floor, rather than a concrete slab, is required in an area with shallow overland flow,” he said. Bellarine Property managing director Christian Bartley said that whilst initially people don’t like change and they might be more frustrated at the beginning of the buying, extending or renovating process with the new amendment they’re always happy at the end when they’re in their house.
“At the end of the day, we’ve always got people fighting to buy in Barwon Heads,” he said. “And while their might be a bit more frustration with the process at the beginning once people are in their houses with their families it all feels worthwhile. An alternative solution to the amended flood overlay problem, he said, would be to design a document which the buyer signed, saying they take full responsibility for where they buy and any natural disaster risks associated with the location. “With people buying in low lying areas close to a river, close to an ocean, and knowing the risks associated, for the council to then impose more costs makes them look a bit sheepish. “Council are trying to restrict people pointing the finger back at them if something goes wrong.” City council has budgeted $1.4 million worth of drainage works scheduled for Barwon Heads in this financial year, with major flood mitigation works listed for construction in Ocean Grove in upcoming works programs. However, both Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads flood studies have found that it was not feasible to construct a drainage system that would prevent drainage related flooding based on the 1 in 100 year standard, but did recommend upgrading of the main drainage system to reduce significant overland flows.
Surf Forecast
Resident Judy Alexander fears the return of criminals to the quiet coastal town of St Leonards following a month of high crime. Ms Alexander and her guard dog Velvet are pictured next to her car, which was broken into while parked in her driveway. See the full story on page three. Photo: MICHAEL CHAMBERS
WED 0-1ft Tiny NNW 20º THU 1ft+ Building NW 21º FRI 2-3ft Quality W 17º SAT 2ft+ Quality WNW 17º
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