Flushed – no success

By Tania Martin
A COCKATOO man has labelled Cardinia Shire ‘environmental pigs’, fearing a stormwater flush will lead to the contamination of the town’s creek.
Wayne Powers said the drain near his home in Caroline Avenue was flushed last week, leaving rubbish littered in land adjacent to the creek.
Mr Powers said if it rained the trash would go directly into the creek and ultimately end up in the Yarra River system.
He said it was not the first time it had happened, and it was environmentally irresponsible for the council to continue to do nothing about it.
“I have told them time and time again,” Mr Towers said. “I have asked them to do something before and 15 years on they are still doing the same thing.”
Mr Towers said the council should install a drain pit with a grate to catch the rubbish before it ended up in the creek. He said ‘pigs’ would be cleaner than the council.
“They just don’t care about the bigger picture and don’t take responsibility for their actions which they should,” he said.
Mr Towers said more than a garbage truck full of rubbish would flow into waterways if the 30 or 40 stormwater drains around Cockatoo were flushed.
But Cardinia Shire’s spokesman Paul Dunlop said the council was committed to maintaining and improving its road and drainage network.
“These assets are increasing substantially each year with development of the shire,” Mr Dunlop said.
He said the council was only responsible for barrel drains and associated pits in the road reserve or within formal drainage easements and regularly maintained them.
“It is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that their drainage system is clear, which includes all pipes up to and including the collection into the legal point of discharge,” Mr Dunlop said. “Council maintains this drainage network through an active pit and pipe clearing program throughout the shire to help reduce the risk of flooding.”
Mr Dunlop said this also included the use of council’s street sweeper to clear pits, pipe jetting and suction equipment and the use of closed circuit television to investigate the condition of the pipes.
“We are aware of the resident’s situation and have previously advised them to install a driveway culvert and obtain a road opening permit to help improve the situation,” he said.
Mr Dunlop said the positioning of Caroline Avenue and Bell Street made it difficult to at times avoid run-off after rain and pipe clearing.
Council has urged anyone with concerns over the issue to contact the shire on 1300 787 624.