The Central Coast has battled its way through another week of record rainfall, with even more roads cut off as an east coast low continued to wreak havoc.
Despite hopes that the Coast had experienced the worst of the current storm situation by March 3, the past week has seen even more torrential downpours, with the region included in a Disaster Relief Declaration by the State Government early in the week.
In the week from March 3-9, more than 318mm of rain fell in Gosford – an increase of 18mm over the previous week.
Calls to the SES escalated as more and more roads and homes flooded from the weekend through to Wednesday, with regions such as Matcham and Davistown hit especially hard.
To the north of the region residents in low lying areas around Long Jetty and Tuggerah Lakes prepared to evacuate and on the Peninsula multiple roads went underwater.
Brisbane Water Dr, the main access route to the Peninsula from greater Gosford, was impassable on Sunday (March 6), forcing motorists to take an alternate route via Kincumber, with many drivers left stranded.
Davistown was yet again inundated, with many streets, including Pyang Ave, Emmora Ave, Dilgara Ave and Davis Ave, impassable and portaloos delivered to the area as waste water build-up created havoc.
Davistown Progress Association President, Jenny McCulla, said Central Coast Council had been pro-active during the week, with tankers and teams on the ground to clear blocked drains from day one.
“The Council waste water officers consulted with us about where portaloos should be located around Davistown to assist those who had waste water issues,” she said.
“The tenders engaged by Council to do the required upgrades on the system were on site this week and some upgrades have already started.”
McCulla said progress association representatives were meeting with Council this week to be briefed on details of the upgrades.
On March 8, Central Coast Council warned that local and riverine flooding could be expected across the region and it was mobilising crews on the ground.
“The NSW Government announced earlier this week that the Central Coast has been included in the Natural Disaster Declaration, which will allow people affected by this weather event to be eligible for flood assistance,” Council said.
Council said localised heavy downpours were experienced in Gosford and within the Coast’s catchments on Monday, with evacuation orders in place for low-lying residences around Tuggerah Lake and the surrounding areas, as well as other low lying areas including Wyong and Yarramalong.
“Council is continuing to work closely with the NSW SES and communities in impacted regions to ensure they can access support if needed,” Council said.
The region’s lagoons, Avoca Beach near the SLSC and the outlet of Salt Water Creek were all affected by sewer overflows and stormwater runoff with pollution signs I place.
Council warned residents in Davistown, St Huberts Island, Tacoma and South Tacoma may experience sewer service interruptions.
“Residents are requested to continue to conserve water while water treatment plants at Mardi and Somersby work to process highly turbid source water that has entered our dams as a result of the rainfall,” Council said.
Kerbside bin collections continued as normal, with minor delays due to high demand and severe weather impacts.
Community members are urged to report any potholes or road damage caused by weather events by calling Council on 1300 463 954 or via ‘Report an issue’ page on Council’s website.
More information on Disaster Relief Grants can be found at nsw.gov.au/disaster-recovery/disaster-relief-and-support.
“As we transition from emergency response to recovery phase, Council will continue to provide updates to the community on the support that is available to them,” Council said.
Terry Collins
