NEWS
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk’s plan for backflow prevention devices in New Farm and Milton in a bid to reduce localised flooding has been given the thumbs down by Labor opponents.
The Lord Mayor said a combination of rubber duck bill valves and metal flap gates would be installed on drainage outlets in Moray Street, New Farm, and Cribb St, Milton, to minimise the amount of water and silt backing up in the local storm water system. An independent investigation into Council’s handling of January’s devastating flood, with the final backflow report outlining the locations of more backflown devices to be handed down May but Cr Quirk said: “I’ve said from the start that if it became clear before May that backflow devices would help reduce flooding at certain locations with minimal risk to homes then we would get on and do it and today we’re delivering on that promise,” Cr Quirk said.
But Labor’s Lord Mayoral candidate Ray SMith says the installation of special valves to prevent backflow flooding from Council’s stormwater drains was long overdue and new valves should’ve been in place before the current wet season. Mr Smith accused the Lord Mayor of dithering on the issue of backflow valves, and gambling with peoples’ lives and properties.
“The bottom line is these backflow valves should have already been installed in key locations across our city.'
ALP council candidate for Central Ward Paul Crowther said the council’s plans had bitterly disappointed him and many New Farm residents. “This plan does nothing to address the flooding in Sydney Street, Brunswick Street, Fuljames Lane, Lower Bowen Tce, James Street, Sargent Street, Lamington Street, Welsby Street, Merthyr Road or Alford Street,” Mr Crowther said.
"it also fails to address any flooding in the CBD that caused great loss to residents and businesses alike.
"So after 12 moths of dithering, the Lord Mayor has no plan to really protect New Farm from needless flooding - he only has a plan to get re-elected. "I also know from speaking to people in New Farm who suffered from flooding, they feel very let down. I will continue my campaign to install back flow valves until all of New Farm is protected."
