Page 12 - BOL Nov 22 Edition

October Flooding Concerns Averted as Association lobbies

Council to “Drain the Swamp”

Following the February flood, it is no wonder that with predictions of 120mm overnight on 22nd/23rd October, many residents of
the Mango Hill Village would have spent a few anxious hours as an East Coast Low formed off the Fraser Coast moving southwards
towards the Moreton Region. Thankfully, the “Low” stayed a sufficient distance out to sea, dumping only 55 mm on the local
community with the usual trouble spot of Danzy Buchanan Park corner under water.
Once again, however, the Progress Association has been lobbied by local residents on the “frontline” near Danzy Buchanan Park to
continue to pressure Council to “drain the swamp”. As recently as the September meeting, Mayor Peter Flannery assured residents
that permissions were being sought from the State Government to allow Council access the wetland reserve that is North Lakes
Reserve to clear a channel to Saltwater Creek.

For many residents, more urgent action is required, particularly given the La Nina continues to threaten. The Association has again
written to Council, passing on the concerns of residents who see need the assurance that everything that can be done, be done.
The following response was received from Councillor Jodie Shipway on 27th October.

To Mango Hill Progress Association Committee:

‘Moreton Bay Council’s asset maintenance team has spent over a month
now trying to drop the water levels at this location. The team been
working to clear the drain and outflow point within the constraints
of land ownership and environmental overlays. The open drains, the
underground pipes are now all clear/clean.

• Unfortunately, this work has had limited success.
• The water table through this area is extremely high with all the
rainfall.
• The ongoing rain, wet ground conditions and very low lying nature of
the site (relative to tide) effectively counters against Council’s efforts.
• Council’s works also included an attempt to suck water via pumps
into water trucks in an attempt to lower the water levels. We removed
over 50,000 litres of water and this had very little impact on the water
heights at the Park and the crossing at Chermside Road.

Council has submitted a pre-lodgement application to the State Note: The Mango Hill Progress Association will continue
Government in an effort to secure the necessary permits to re-construct/ to lobby the State Government to provide the necessary
re-excavate a drainage channel from the downstream side of the road approvals to Moreton Bay Regional Council to have the
to the tidal section of Saltwater Creek. Pre-lodgement advice has been necessary work done urgently as lower water levels in
received from the State and we are working through this. As the advice the environmental park (North Lakes Reserve) not only
cites the State’s requirement for Council to do extensive flora/fauna give more confidence to local residents, it also opens up
surveys, this won’t be a quick turnaround. the corner of Danzy Buchanan Park around Chermside
Road earlier to allow vehicles to pass through.
From a maintenance view, Council can do no more as it awaits State
Government Approvals to allow Council to get in and undertake the works Laurence Christie
within the Environmental Reserve. ‘ President
Mango Hill Progress Association