Yard sparks flood worries

An Environmental Protection Authority report obtained by the residents revealed the estimated spill from the cattle yard has increased from 7.1 mega litres in original plans exhibited to the public to 43 mega litres in the most recent designs.

It comes days after the council decided to hand over responsibility of its new flood overlay plans for the region to an independent panel.

Despite six years passing since houses in the area were engulfed by water after the Burrumbeet Creek burst its bank in 2011,  the council is yet to implement new flood management controls.

Last week, The Courier reported documents and an engineer’s report showed the council’s first plans measured about 45,000 sqm, compared to the current designs which measure almost 70,000 sqm in size. 

Mount Rowan resident Grant Tillett said mitigation surrounding the new saleyards site was non-existent.

“There is no question it will blow up in their faces five years down the track,” he said.

“The project is now almost 70 per cent larger than what was exhibited to the public and significantly larger than what was shown to an independent panel. 

“Any benefit of advice or recommendations from an independent has now been stripped away.”

He said the new plans presented a greater risk to residents with their fears about noise, odour,  flooding and bio-hazards intensifying. 

Ballarat mayor Des Hudson defended the council’s decision to seek advice from an independent panel for its new flood management controls.

“The panel will be able obviously test all the various issues and concerns people have with the proposal,” he said. 

The EPA is currently undertaking an analysis of the site based on the project’s new measurements. It is anticipated a report on the environmental authority’s findings will be handed to council officers next month.