RESPONSE to flash flooding in Swan Hill will be quicker and more effective in future following upgrading of the city council’s pumping equipment.
Deputy city engineer Ian Mann reported to the council on Tuesday that since the downpour of rain on October 3 pumping capacity has been boosted 300 percent in the city and temporary pumping points have been set up.
The council has requested a report on the current capacity to handle flooding in the city and, in particular, the requirements to handle flooding if there is a power blackout during a storm.
Cr Peter Heighway said the combined occurrence of a high river, a severe thunderstorm and a power blackout would place some parts of the city in jeopardy.
The council will send letters of appreciation to the district fire brigades, State Emergency Service, police and Red Cross which responded to the emergency situation when residences in the Milloo Street, Milloo Crescent, Naretha Street and Hastings Street area were under threat of flooding on October 3.
A message of appreciation will also be passed on to council staff members who worked for several hours on the Sunday to ensure the safety of homes.
Mr Mann said nine homes were under threat of flooding, but the danger was averted and none was breached by water.
Several houses had water surrounding them.
He said the city’s drainage system was stretched to its limit over the weekend.
“The Hastings Street and El Alamein Avenue pumps could not cope with the flow and the Hastings Street drainage dam overflow caused the problem in the Federal Square.
“The existing pumping station has always previously been able to keep stormwater at an acceptable level,” Mr Mann said.
Cr Frank Faraci said he believed storms were becoming more intense and the council should consider getting a large portable pump which could be taken to a trouble spot.
“A $10,000 pump could save $1 million worth of damage,” Cr Faraci said.
City Engineer said the council was continually upgrading its drainage system spending about $400,000 annually in the recent years.
