Works under way to improve drainage in Kyabram

“The $1.36 million project involves replacing the McEwen Road West pump station and pipework as well as increasing the capacity of the drainage basin,” he said.

The next stage of the project is to increase the capacity of the McEwen Road East drainage basin. This project will be put forward for consideration in the 2020-21 budget.

Mr Deller said both drainage basins captured water runoff for a large portion of the Kyabram residential area from McCormick Rd in the south, McEwen Road in the east, through to the rail line.

“The east project would also increase the capacity of the drainage basin from 20,000 cubic litres to slightly more to 48,000 cubic litres,” he said.

“The projects will improve the drainage for this part of Kyabram and the increased basin size will see stormwater runoff stored in the basin and not in the roads, gardens or private property after heavy rainfall events.

“While the past three years have been dry, heavy rainfall events experienced in 2016, 2012 and 2011 are always possible and this kind of investment in Kyabram’s drainage system will have positive results for the community.”

In 2012 the council updated its Drainage Policy and developed a robust framework for the evaluation and funding of projects for priority drainage works.

Mr Deller said the policy set a standard for all Campaspe properties to benefit from a four-star level of service.

“In real terms, this means that based on a one-in-100-year storm event, in urban areas it is acceptable for water to sit on private property, however it is not acceptable for water to enter or go under houses. And in rural areas, it is not acceptable for houses to be flooded or for water to be held back on land for five days or more,” he said.

“This project will protect the residential area and deliver the level of service in line with the Drainage Policy.”