Figtree resident says council's creek clean-up led to flooding

But a council spokeswoman said it was part of measures to reduce the risk of "water flow being impacted by debris moving along the creek corridor".

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Mark Bryant lives in Preston Street, Figtree, where homes on the western side back onto Byarong Creek.

During the recent deluge, his own home experienced minor flooding under the house, but said his neighbours had water from the overflowing creek running into their homes.

"I was lucky most of my [damaged] stuff is stuff from under the house," Mr Bryant said.

"But people up the road, they've had to clean out everything - washing machines, couches, beds - because they went under."

Mr Bryant claimed that clearing work that had been done blocked up the creek, leading to it overflowing.

"After the rains had stopped they had backhoes in there pulling out full trees so obviously they've cut down the trees and they've become a plug where the drain goes under the road under The Avenue," he said.

"That was all blocked up so when we got all that rain, it just filled up really quickly."

Since the flooding, Mr Bryant said the street frontages had filled up with residents' damaged items, which he felt council should make a special effort to clear out via an extra kerbside collection.

A council spokeswoman said council was not planning a special flood-related collection date, but added that residents could make use of the two, on-call household clean-up collections offered each year.

"I'm happy to do that," Mr Bryant said, "but I know from doing those previously that they won't take everything. There are only certain items that will be accepted."

A Wollongong City Council spokeswoman said staff carried out regular visits to Byarong Creek to assess tree and vegetation growth.

"During these visits debris and weed control are carried out if required," the spokeswoman said.

When bad weather is predicted, staff will also make special visits to certain sites to reduce any risk of flooding.

"When a weather event is predicted to bring significant rainfall, council staff will proactively carry out inspections of key culverts where flash flooding is more likely to occur," the spokeswoman said.

"Council staff have visited this site twice in the past six weeks to remove vegetation debris to reduce the risk of water flow being impacted by debris moving along the creek corridor."

She said council would also be carrying out works in the Byarong Creek area in the coming months to help with water flow

"This work includes the removal of some smaller trees when it is safe to undertake the work," she said.

"In addition, we are currently designing a debris control structure to be built near The Avenue underpass as part of our proactive approach to stormwater management.

"Construction is expected to start in the 2023-24 financial year. These works will help mitigate the risk of blockages at this location."

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