Flash floods

By Nicole Williams
ROADWAYS turned into waterways in Greater Dandenong after heavy and persistent rain lashed Victoria last week.
The area had close to 100mm of rain fall in a week, causing creeks to break their banks and drains to overflow.
The Springvale SES unit was called to 15 jobs for minor building damage and flooded roads.
“There was some local flooding – mainly around Willow Lodge in Bangholme and some factories and roads,” Springvale SES Unit Controller George Toskov said.
“It came close but there was no major damage.
“Luckily we were spared the worst of it.”
Five roads in Greater Dandenong were closed by the council and VicRoads due to the danger posed to drivers.
Heatherton Road, between Monash Freeway and Stud Road, was flooded after the Dandenong Creek broke its banks early on Friday morning.
It was reopened by VicRoads on Sunday.
A number of paddocks around Bangholme were completely under water and VicRoads closed Glasscocks Road to all traffic until Monday.
Bayliss, Taylors, and Harwood roads were closed by the council.
Greater Dandenong’s engineering services director Bruce Rendall said the roads had minor damage, which had been inspected by council officers.
“Damage caused by the flooding predominantly affected the gravel,” he said
“The council is currently working to repair these roads.”
Run-off from the Lyndhurst Landfill was a concern for local resident Robert Gipp, a member of Residents Against Toxic Waste in the South East (RATWISE) .
Mr Gipp said the heavy rains had caused water to run from the tip into local drains.
“There are a lot of nasty things in that tip, it is not a household tip,” Mr Gipp said.
“Their permit and license does not permit any dust, odours or liquid overflows past the boundary and that water could be highly contaminated.”
The EPA and SITA, the manager of the tip, said the water had been tested and was not contaminated.
“Testing undertaken by EPA officers called to the site confirmed that pooled water at the site is not contaminated with any waste,” an EPA spokesperson said.
“The runoff is draining into an area of a completed rehabilitated landfill cell.”
A SITA spokesperson said the company was expanding its storage capacity onsite to provide more safeguards.