As yesterday's heavy rain system tracks north, Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery says it was a lucky escape for the suburb, which encountered near-flooding.
150 millimetres of rain was received in Wallsend yesterday, while Ironbark Creek stormwater drains became full to the brim.
Some businesses in the town centre were forced to send workers home early, for fears they may have been trapped in rising water on the roads, while at Plattsburg Public School on Ranclaud Street, parents only just got children out in time.
Sonia Hornery believes a planned April visit to Wallsend by Utilities Minister, Don Harwin, cannot come soon enough.
"He's aware of the problem, but I want Don Harwin to see for himself the problems occurring, [there's been] eleven years of inaction, particularly from Hunter Water," she said.
The Minister was invited to inspect flood-prone areas in Wallsend, but so far has been too busy to attend.
Sonia Hornery said it will be good to finally get the wheels in motion after three major rain events in as many years.
"What we need to do is get Hunter Water on side," Ms Hornery said, "and the way we're working at doing that is, we're having a meeting with Minister Don Harwin and we're hoping to clinch immediate action and government funding.
"Of course then, we want Don Harwin to make sure he enables Hunter Water to do that work, so Newcastle Council CEO Jeremy Bath can get on with the work of building the bridges; he's hampered with inaction from Hunter Water at the moment."
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| A Wallsend drain around 2:30, March 21. |
