Eight years of flooded roadways and lagging action to remedy poor drainage has taken a toll for Martin Eden.
The owner of Kyneton’s Eden Lodge equine stabling and swimming complex has had to pause operations many times over the years following heavy rainfall.
His property is located at the corner of Beauchamp Street and Campaspe Place where underground drainage pipes are inadequate for significant rainfall events.
He said, despite reporting the problem numerous times, he is yet to see improvements.
“It’s dangerous and someone is going to get killed or seriously injured,” Mr Eden told the Express.
“I have had trouble with this for eight years and I continue to report it but nothing gets done.”
During the most recent flooding in the shire, Mr Eden said he had sewerage on his property due to the poor drainage.
He was forced to stop business operations for at least one month.
In September 2021, Macedon Ranges Shire Council informed Mr Eden that works were proposed to upgrade the culvert to improve drainage.
He is still waiting for works to begin.
MRSC director of assets and operations, Shane Walden, told the Express the council had completed the design of the new drain and culvert as part of drainage improvements to address flooding at the site.
He said the design was currently under review by various authorities.
“Council regularly cleans these drains. In this instance, the underground pipes are inadequate to address the flows resulting from significant rainfall events,” he said.
“Council is seeking approvals from various external agencies and cannot confirm a timeframe for construction at this stage.
“This design is for an upsized culvert and intends to resolve flooding issues associated with a major weather event. Any overflow will cross the road in a significant stormwater event and make its way to the nearby Campaspe River. This outcome is in line with industry best-practice guidelines.”
