Altona: $10m funding to fix ‘swimming pool' streets

A council in Melbourne's west has pledged to fix long-standing drainage issues, which residents say turns their streets into "swimming pools" every time it rains, after fed-up locals demanded action. 

Fed-up Altona residents are celebrating a win after a petition calling on their local council to fix  “longstanding and significant drainage issues” was met with a $10 million pledge.

The petition was presented to Hobsons Bay council on March 8, demanding an investigation into street drainage issues which were causing “significant damage” to homes.

“When it does flood, it floods homes and causes significant damage,” Cherry Lake ward councillor Tony Briffa said, tabling the petition before council.

“It's not just once a year, it happens three to five times a year maybe more.”

Local residents told Leader it had been a “frustrating” fight with the council for more than a decade, with some forced to spend thousands of dollars cleaning up after a flood. 

“Ever since I moved here my end of the street looks like a lake every time there’s heavy rain,” one Altona North man said.

“You can’t park on the street or water will flood your car — it’s that deep. We’re fed up and nothing has been done to fix it.”

Street flooding in Altona which residents say is the result of "significant drainage issues".

The petition calls on council to prioritise an investigation into the current capacity and serviceability of the drainage area and improve drainage at the site.

“We ask this drainage upgrade be prioritised and managed as a specific council project with regular communication with affected residents and community members,” the petition reads.

The issue returned before Hobsons Bay council on May 10, with council’s capital works manager revealing funding to improve drainage was included in the 2022/23 draft budget.

“The investigation identified several areas where overland flooding may have a significant impact on the community,” Hany Hanna wrote in a submission to council. 

The affected area around McIntyre Drive in Altona listed in the petition has been allocated $980,000 in the budget, scheduled to come before council in June. 

Multiple sites across the city have been identified as requiring mitigation works to prevent future flooding events at a cost of $10 million over a decade. 

Cr Daria Kellander said she was “disappointed” the community felt it had to petition the council to get the issue fixed.

“Photos show the streets have basically become swimming pools on some occasions,” she said.

“This is a fundamental responsibility you would expect from any council. I hope it’s addressed as soon as possible.”