‘I feel so unsafe’: Brookfield Shed owner can’t afford another disaster after 2018 flood devastation
A heritage building and the business inside it were nearly destroyed following floods, but efforts to protect it from a similar fate have gone pear-shaped as a levee on the land is being removed.
Tasmania
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A heritage building and business were nearly destroyed following floods, but mitigation efforts have gone pear-shaped as a levee on the land is being removed.
Brookfield Shed at Margate suffered a heavy blow in May 2018 when the banks of nearby North West Bay River broke.
Julia Ridgers, who owns the restaurant and lives on the property, had to rebuild her business from scratch and will finally have her debts from the incident paid in October.
She feared another flood could end her business, as the building has flooded three times since 1947.
“I need to think about my future at Brookfield because it was the most devastating night of my life,” she said.
“I feel so unsafe, I can’t afford to lose the business again.”
Landlord Peter Lindsay recalled the bottom floor of the three-storey building flooded when a culvert behind the Channel Hwy clogged up.
“The water going past was coming back at us, damming behind the highway” he said.
The landlord built a levee on the 15 acre property in early 2019 to avoid another disaster, but he was unaware he needed building approval.
Ms Ridgers noticed a positive difference from the levee, including less pooling around the back door after heavy rainfall and no gravel washing away.
Kingborough Council confirmed they received a complaint in June 2019 about groundwater being redirected into North West Bay River. They issued an Enforcement Notice and Infringement Notice for the illegal works.
Mr Lindsay said the fine was $2520.
Council then required him to lodge a Development Application for the levee, which he did in October 2019, but in November last year it was determined approval could be obtained through the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment.
DPIPWE issued a notice to undertake dam works assessment in September last year, but Mr Lindsay’s engineer fell ill and he couldn’t meet the six-month deadline.
Mr Lindsay has three months to remove the levee, otherwise he could incur a hefty penalty from DPIPWE.
“I’m only trying to protect the building,” he said.
“It’s a pretty important community asset, there’s a community vegetable garden, we have various events happening here and it’s Julia’s livelihood.”
Mr Lindsay is removing the levee, but he hoped to get approval to build another before the next flood.
A Department of State Growth spokesman said the culvert was designed to let water flow under the highway.
“During the 2018 flood, debris collected at the entrance to the culvert, restricting water flow out of the flooded area,” the spokesman said.
He said State Growth was looking into ways to prevent future flooding issues concerning the culvert.
DPIPWE said landowners unclear of procedures for dams, levees and weirs should call DPIPWE on 1300 368 500 or seek advice from their consultant.
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