Cr Arch Humphery pushes for better flood protection in Central Maitland

In a notice of motion to next week’s council meeting, Cr Humphery will call on councillors for their support to change the Central Maitland Development Control Plan and the city’s Local Environmental Plan with the view to better protecting Central Maitland residents and their properties in times of flood.

“Since the disasterous flood of 1955 nothing has been done to protect the lives and personal property of Maitland flood affected residences in Central Maitland in the event of another disaster,” Cr Humphery said.

“Council’s policy of doubling the population, with the only evacuation route being the Long Bridge, which has structural integrity issues, leads to potential isolation and warrants urgent action,” he said.

“The present house raising policy available has been a failure although subsidised to 50 per cent of the costs, not one has been raised as the economics of raising and not being able to use the space for habitual living has proved non viable,” Cr Humphery said.

“One recent example was a quote to raise a house which was $280,000 with no habitual space allowed on the first level. Single-storey brick houses cannot be raised yet can increase the living space by 50 per cent,” he said. “Flood insurance is a major problem with costs of $10,000 plus per annum. This makes Central Maitland living costly or risky without insurance.

“An incentive to raise a house that would secure the lives of people their personal effects has great benefit and this would stimulate investment, boost business development and most of all protect lives.

Earlier this year the State Government rejected a proposal from councillors to change planning controls to allow more ground floor space to be habitable in dwellings in flood prone areas. Cr Humphery said he is trying to get a solution that brought planning in Central Maitland and Lorn into the 21^st Century.