mmg.com.au

Bryan Cronyn is calling on Orchard Circuit residents to have their say on drainage and flooding issues involving their homes.

Last week was the third time in as many years flooding has stranded residents of the north Shepparton street.

This time, Mr Cronyn decided to go to Greater Shepparton City Council to ask why.

On Saturday, he sent a email to the council containing six questions about its response to the floods.

When he did not receive an answer, he forwarded the email to The News, which received a response.

Yesterday, Mr Cronyn spoke to a council representative, who told him it was planning a public meeting to discuss the issue.

He urged other residents to attend the meeting.

‘‘Generally, when we get a big downpour, and they’re not always as big as Wednesday, the rain and water just keeps building up and building up,’’ Mr Cronyn said.

‘‘Apparently, Orchard Circuit is designed to hold water so it doesn’t inundate homes, but that doesn’t help us get out.’’

Mr Cronyn said he was lucky he had a four-wheel drive.

His wife Loretta could not drive their sedan from the car port for several days.

‘‘I asked council why, if they knew Orchard Circuit is designed to hold water, isn’t it one of the first places to get signs to stop traffic,’’ Mr Cronyn said.

‘‘It’s the damage people cause by driving through in their four-wheel drives sightseeing that causes the problems.’’

What Mr Cronyn will be calling for at the upcoming public meeting is a better pump station to drain the water away quicker and for signs to be put up immediately to close the street to sightseers.

‘‘I’m concerned they seem to be waiting to see what happens before they act,’’ Mrs Cronyn said.

‘‘I’d also like to see a bit more council assistance for older people.

‘‘Our neighbour yesterday was out with the wheelbarrow (cleaning up) and she was just exhausted.’’