News
27 August, 2024
A flood of concerns
A Patrick Street resident in Beachmere claims he and his neighbours have seen an increase in localised flooding issues, since the earthworks and development of a nearby over-50s lifestyle development.
The resident said his home has been inundated by water, which “doesn’t run off like it used to”.
“I’ve had this house for over 20 years and it never flooded before,” he said.
“That site should never have been developed because you’re lifting marsh land.
“If you build in a flood zone, everything around it is affected.”
According to the resident, the issue doesn’t originate from the rising of the Caboolture River during heavy rain, but rather from inundation, as the rain “has nowhere left to go”.
“They put up what I call a wall, because it’s a vertical mound of dirt put up due to earthworks, and it’s completed stopped the drainage.”
The resident did put in a submission against the development and met with Moreton Bay Division 2 Councillor, Mark Booth, about the issue when it first occurred in 2022, but was allegedly told his house should be lifted due to the region and the drainage system under Patrick Street is collapsing due to age.
“I expect council to install drainage in the street or in the back, between the houses and the development,” the resident said.
GemLife National Development Manager, Darren McKenzie, said GemLife is unaware of any issue relating to Patrick Street, however the organisation has been working with residents from another street, who raised some concerns.
“Gemlife dealt with these concerns by installing further onsite drainage works, resolving the issue,” he said.
“We welcome the residents at Patrick Street to contact us to discuss the matter. We very much see ourselves as part of the community and take our responsibilities to the community seriously.
“We are not just a standard developer, we are also the owner-operator of the over-50s lifestyle communities we build, as such we have planned for a lifestyle community that protects the future residents and does not adversely impact the local community.”
Mr McKenzie said flood studies, flood risk assessment, sizing of appropriate drainage to alleviate any associated flood risks are part of Council regulations required to be presented in the development application.
There is also current onsite monitoring, which involves regular checking and maintaining all flood risk and sediment management in high rainfall events.
“We encourage any local residents with issues to contact our team. It’s important to us to be good neighbours now and in the future and we are here to help,” he said.
“If there are any community members who would like to reach out and discuss with us we would love them to call us on 1800 3174 393.”
A Moreton Bay Council spokesperson said approved earthworks of the site permit filling of the land to achieve flood immunity for future dwellings.
“Assessment of the earthworks application at the time included a review of the riverine environment, addressing fl ood and drainage considerations, to ensure any earthworks would not impact beyond the site,” they said.
“Council notes that given the site’s proximity to the Caboolture River, drainage and flooding in the area is a common concern.
“Many nearby properties were subject to drainage impacts prior to the earthworks occurring.”
The earthworks undertaken on the land include preload to assist with the new soil compacting.
Once soil has compacted, this preload will be removed. Separately, a development application for a Retirement Facility (176 Dwellings) has been lodged with Council and is still under assessment.
