RISING groundwater and flooding across Dayton and surrounds were a focus during public question time at the October Swan council meeting with residents calling for urgent action.

Swan Communities Environmental Alliance vice chair Jan Zeck asked whether the city acknowledged major problems associated with flooding caused by urban development in the corridor.

Ms Zeck’s questions were directed to the city’s acting executive director of operations Finn Macleod and acting planning and development executive director Philip Russell and taken on notice by both.

In Swan Valley flooding and drainage issues continue (Echo News, September 19), Ms Zeck said this year had seen a return to average winter rainfall, yet readings have not been unusual and certainly nowhere near the major rain events developers were required to plan for.

Ms Zeck then asked City of Swan chief executive officer Stephen Caine what the city planned to do to address the rising groundwater and flooding associated with the roll out of urban development in the Swan urban growth corridor.

Mr Caine said the city had commissioned a review with the Local Government Insurance Scheme (LGIS) on the matter and engaged a consultant to investigate drainage in the area.

“We have engaged a consultant also looking at aspects of our own drainage system to determine what, if any, issues exist in the area,” he said.

“That study will take a period of time – it’s looking at hydrological data.

“It also looks at the historical data records… and when we have that information, we will come back to council on this matter.

“That doesn’t actually address the question though, does it?” Ms Zeck said.

Mrs Richardson said the city would be able to provide a more detailed response once staff are consulted.

Henley Brook resident Trevor Snook also raised concerns about flooding around St Leonards Creek, blocked drainage easements and mosquito breeding.

He asked why developers were allowed to pump water into a blocked system that worsened local flooding.

Mr Macleod said the city was working to unblock existing drains and reshape easements on land it controlled, but access was limited by current waterlogging.

“In relation to the drainage systems that are existing, we are looking to unblock the existing blockages that do exist within St Leonard’s Creek, and we are also looking to reshape previously existing drainage systems in the easements that the city owns,” he said.

“We’re currently restricted by access in terms of the water logging on the ground in that area.

“There is no additional water being pumped into the St. Leonard’s Creek by developers.

“There is pumping that is occurring, which is divergence around some of the existing blockages, but it is not additional water that wasn’t already heading into the system.”

Mr Russell said that mosquito complaints were handled on a case-by-case basis, with the investigations triggered by resident reports.

“If a resident alerts us to what they perceive as issues with some standing water remnant from recent rainfall, we can investigate that to determine whether it’s a mosquito breeding problem and take action.”