Residents in Gisborne, Central Victoria, say two intense back‑to‑back storms last month sent water rushing into homes and they believe incomplete drainage works at a nearby housing development made the flooding far worse.
During the late‑February downpour, around 30 millimetres of rain fell within an hour, overwhelming Swinburne Avenue and Cherry Lane. Locals say water surged down the street and into properties, something they insist had never happened before construction began on the new estate across the road.
Ryan Izzard said he saw water pouring from the development site and down his driveway as he was leaving home.
“I saw the neighbours had heaps of water going down, so I went over to check if they were OK,” he said. “One of them woke up and found her house full of water.”
Izzard’s home escaped the worst, though floodwater washed away part of his driveway and entered his garage.
“We were probably lucky we were home at the time and could move a few things,” he said. “But I feel sorry for the neighbours who had water through their whole house.”
He said flooding had never been an issue until the paddock opposite was cleared for development.
“Before this development started it was just a paddock,” he said. “There was a big spoon drain across the road that used to take most of the water. They just haven’t completed their stormwater yet, or any of their drainage. Nothing’s been completed.”
Residents are now calling for urgent action to ensure proper drainage is installed before further storms hit.
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