Part of an Eastgrove street transformed into a sea of muddy water on Wednesday night as heavy rain washed dirt down from a residential subdivision.
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May Street resident and horticulturalist Judith Ferneley watched as the water lapped up to the fence of her home.
On Wednesday, she threatened to take the matter to the Environmental Protection Agency, given the potential impact on the Sydney catchment. Council compliance officers were inspecting the site at the time, a fact she was pleased about.
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Up to 25mm fell between 5pm and 11.30pm. Most of this fell in the first three hours. It sent water and dirt gushing down a slope from a 28-lot Torrens title subdivision under development on the corner of May and Chiswick Streets.
"I've never seen it happen before," Ms Ferneley said.
"It all came down the spillway after exceeding the dam's capacity...I knew the block had to be developed but if it had been done in stages I don't think it would have happened."
Residue also washed over into the nearby Eastgrove wetlands.
Council general manager Warwick Bennett said his organisation was working closely with the developer and residents.
"Since the issuing of a stop work order in early November, the developer has implemented a number of erosion and sediment control measures onsite that are surplus to those required by the development consent," he said.
"This includes the construction of three retention dams, trenching, sediment control fencing around the boundary fence lines and the installation of further controls surrounding stormwater drains and infrastructure."
He revealed that the developer was issued with penalty infringement notices.
"However since these notices and the stop work order we acknowledge they have been very proactive in bringing the into compliance with all relevant conditions but also installing (additional) measures, with the aim of minimising the impacts of the development on both the environment and surrounding residents," Mr Bennett said.
"The enormous cumulative rainfall throughout spring has made the site very difficult to manage, and we will continue to monitor closely and work with the developer. Protection of properties neighbouring this development is the council's number one priority."
A large section of the block, below Rocky Hill, has been cleared of vegetation to accommodate the lots, ranging between 729 and 1412 square metres. Residents said it had left a 'scar' on the landscape but they largely accepted the block would be developed at some stage.
The council issued approval in 2008. Environment and Planning director Scott Martin told The Post in September that as it had legally commenced, the council was powerless to act but the extent of clearing would not necessarily be accepted today.
Ms Ferneley, who has lived in the home for 20 years, said the land was formerly a wildlife corridor for kangaroos passing from Rocky Hill to the wetlands.
"That nature corridor isn't there anymore and it looks awful," she said.
Earthworks on the site have been underway for several months. On Wednesday, motorists captured the deluge covering the street on social media.
Another May Street resident, Kay Horner, said one of her rear retaining walls was destroyed by runoff from the subdivision.
"I rang the developer on Thursday morning and they had someone here within 30 minutes," she said.
"They will fix it as quickly as possible and that's all I want. I was really impressed by the quick response."
The contractor has declined comment at this stage. However it's understood they and the developer are working with residents. The Post also understands that the company cleaned up blocked drainage areas at the wetlands two weeks ago following another heavy downpour.
Chiswick Street resident Ray Gore said the dam within the subdivision was built two weeks ago.
"There was initially no plan for it but there was heavy rainfall two weeks ago, sending a tremendous rush of mud into the Mulwaree Ponds. They immediately had to build the dam," he said.
This had been subsequently pumped out but filled again with Wednesday's fall. Mr Gore had recorded 21.5mm in his gauge by late afternoon but he suspected the total was almost 30mm.
Despite finer weather, no work had occurred at the site for a week.
Mr Gore was not opposed to the development.
"I'm happy for it to go ahead. It wasn't attractive bushland in the first place," he said.
"People have to live somewhere and that was a fire hazard. I feel sorry for the developer in that he's incurred a lot of extra expense putting in the dam."
Meantime, Goulburn SES had four call-outs on Wednesday night. One crew attended to a fallen tree branch on a car, a branch on powerlines, a leaking roof and a flooded yard, Argyle cluster commander Robert Bell said.
Goulburn airport has recorded 172mm for November, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, well above the 65mm average. The city has recorded 815mm for the year.
Mr Bell said a further 40 to 50mm was forecast for Friday. A storm and flood rescue team would be on standby.
"We are expecting wet weather right through until February," he said.
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Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
