“Do we need another catastrophic flooding event like we had in 2007 for the government to take action on this issue?”
That’s the vexing question Wallsend state MP Sonia Hornery is asking after Shadow Minister for Water Rose Jackson visited the electorate on Tuesday 27 September to view the town’s flood infrastructure along Ironbark Creek.
It comes as Hunter Water (HW) previously advised the local member that without a regulatory requirement from the Minister for Water to address the matter, it would not commit funding to fix the problem in the CBD, instead shifting the onus to City of Newcastle (CN).
Ms Hornery has written to Kevin Anderson, sought a meeting with him and tabled a Notice of Motion in the NSW Parliament to call on the minister to direct HW to expand the stormwater assets around Wallsend CBD to a level that is appropriate to minimise flood risk.
Mr Anderson responded, stating the government had no intention to tell Hunter Water to complete the works.
He also insisted it was an issue for CN to address, despite HW owning and operating the infrastructure.
“It’s been a major concern since I was elected,” Ms Hornery said.
“And, after the significant event in 2007, we started looking into the history of flooding – following the advent of records.
“In the 1920s, during a Royal Commission, the former Plattsburg Borough Council sought to receive flood mitigation in Wallsend.
“That’s when the canals were built – and they haven’t changed.”
Ms Hornery admitted it was a “massive worry” moving forward, in light of recent weather events.
“There was substantial rainfall in July; and there’s more predicted for the region over the next six months,” she said.
“So, we must do something about it now.
“Again, the history shows every 12 years, we experience a major flood.
“However, we’re not built for it anymore because we have more congestion these days.
“And, the choke-point that’s around Wallsend, which is full of water, has nowhere to go but the township.
“The last thing we want is a Lismore problem here.
“I’ve grown tired of writing to a succession of Liberal ministers to view the stormwater infrastructure in the Wallsend CBD to see the issue for themselves.
“The only one who made the effort was Don Harwin – and he was quite positive about it all.
“Unfortunately, he was soon replaced in that portfolio.
“The past two ministers have refused to meet me, let alone visit Wallsend, to witness the problem first-hand.
“The major issue is the rapid nature of flooding in Wallsend.
“In 2007, it occurred within 40 minutes, so people don’t have time to get out.
“That’s why it is pleasing to see Rose (Jackson) take such an interest.”
Ms Hornery said the ball was now in the court of the NSW Government – and Hunter Water.
“It’s extremely frustrating and tiring for the residents of Wallsend because we’re doing everything we can, in terms of working with the government and doing the right thing,” she told the Newcastle Weekly.
“I’m inviting ministers to the area, to speak to the community, but they refuse to.
“HW is just as bad. They won’t take responsibility for it either.
“They don’t come out [here] – locals can’t recall the last time we saw a Hunter Water staffer do any flood mitigation maintenance on the canals.
“They actually have a licensing agreement to undertake that work.
“HW owns and operates the stormwater infrastructure in Wallsend, one would expect that they would also be able to expand and maintain the drainage, too.
“It should be a priority for them, however it’s not.
“One wonders the reasoning behind Hunter Water’s inaction.
“I’d hate to think this is being politicised because it’s a marginal seat.
“At the end of the day, it’s a safety issue.
“We want to prevent the problem before anything happens.
“HW and the NSW Government is ignoring Wallsend – and it has to stop before we have a tragedy in the town.”
Ms Jackson praised Ms Hornery for her consistent advocacy on the issue.
“Sonia has raised with me – and insisted I am come up and see for myself,” she said.
“I am more than happy to join her in Wallsend to discuss the need for improved flood infrastructure and inspect the current arrangements.
“We all know another major flooding event will hit the area at some stage in the future – we don’t know when it will be but it’s inevitable this community will have to deal with flooding again.
“What is so frustrating is that the NSW Government could take action to direct Hunter Water to ensure this impact is minimised, however it refuses to do so.
“Residents in Wallsend should know that any serious flooding that occurs in the near future could have been less significant if the NSW Government had listened to the local MP Sonia Hornery.”
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