Mr Murdoch said he could move the shed behind an existing shed at 290 Morpeth Road, but part of the shed would be very close to an existing storm water drain that would leave it vulnerable to flooding. The storm water drain takes run-off from homes on Morpeth Road through Mr Murdoch's land and onto a neighbouring farm property. 

The water builds up near the drain during a heavy deluge, Mr Murdoch said. 

“If I move it there it will cost me more money, there will be earth moving involved and i’ll be putting the shed in a spot where it is at risk of flooding,” he said.

“Why would I do that? Why would I want to risk putting equipment and vintage cars and motorbikes in there knowing the shed could be flooded.”

The comments came after neighbours Jo and Stewart Crawley said they were not against the structure, just its location.

Part of the shed was to be built directly behind the Crawley’s back fence. They want it moved behind 290 Morpeth Road or on the western side of the site in line with an existing shed. 

Maitland councillors voted against Maitland City Council staff’s recommendation to approve the shed at a council meeting in April. At that time the shed was to be built behind 290 and 292 Morpeth Road. 

Councillor Steve Procter and councillors Philip and Nicole Penfold pushed for the shed to be approved, but lost the vote.

Mr Murdoch, the Morpeth Fire Station captain, said that spot was the best location for the shed because it would ensure it remained flood free. He said a contour report showed there were two flood-free places and the other was flagged for their family home.

“A little over 12 months ago I was out risking my life to help those people who had built premises in flood areas,” he said.

Council’s development manager David Simm said the shed could be moved so it was in line with the existing shed at 290 Morpeth Road, but doing so would “add further complexities and costs to the proposal.”