Calls to Prevent Flooding in Wallsend

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Councillors, MP's and local advocates are calling on the NSW Government to help reduce the impact of future flood events in Wallsend. 

The call comes after the region recently acknowledged the anniversary of the Pasha Bulka storm. 

Newcastle Liberal Ward 4 Councillor Callum Pull, said fifteen years on, flooding is still the biggest concern for Wallsend businesses and residents. 

"The Wallsend CBD has some pretty unique risks because it's built on a flood plain. The water builds up from a critical pinch point at Federal Park and the current canal just doesn't have the capacity to carry all the water it needs to," Cr Pull said. 

Cr Pull recently acknowledged the loss of businesses, livelihoods, and homes caused by the 2007 and 2011 storms in a motion to this month's Newcastle Council meeting.

He said collaboration with Hunter Water and the NSW government will be vital in protecting the suburb from flood damage in the future.  

"The canal itself is an asset of Hunter Water. The Council has done it's bit and is in the process of doing it's bit; it's delivered mitigation works, bridge upgrades and things like the flash flood alert system. The critical next step is the widening of the canal which is an asset of Hunter Water," Cr Pull said. 

"I'm calling on all the relevant stakeholders to come to the table and deliver these critical upgrades."  

Wallsend residents are concerned about the suburb's risk of flooding.