IT has been nearly 11 years since the Pasha Bulker storm wreaked havoc on Wallsend.
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But it didn't stop locals from becoming “nervous” as stormwater guzzled through the notorious choke-point in Ironbark Creek – just as it did 11 years ago before the drains spilled over, leaving people trapped and scrambling to get out of the suburb's central business district.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, more than 150mm was dumped on Wallsend in the 24 hours to 9am on Thursday. It was among the wettest places in the Hunter.
State MP Sonia Hornery called it a “near-miss”, and said some businesspeople voluntarily left the CBD because they feared they would become stranded if the streets flooded.
“In town, it’s remembered as the ‘Pasha Bulker storm’, but not here. We know it as the storm that flooded Wallsend,” she said.
“Whenever it rains like it did [on Wednesday] it makes people nervous.”
Yet, 11 years after that flood Wallsend is still only on the cusp of seeing work done to reduce flood risks, and authorities still can’t agree on who should pay for it.
After years of studies and reports, Newcastle City Council will begin work later this year to rebuild the Tyrrell Street bridge, one of a number of works that need to be done to reduce the flood risks.
Two other bridges, on Nelson Street and Boscawen Street, also need to be rebuilt. Critically, the council said a Hunter Water-owned stormwater drain needs to be “significantly” widened.
However, despite a request for help, Hunter Water insisted on Thursday it only had a “small role” to play in fixing Wallsend’s flood woes.
“Newcastle City Council has responsibility for flood planning,” a spokeswoman said.
“The council also owns the majority of stormwater assets. Hunter Water plays a small role in the management of flooding in Wallsend, through the ownership and maintenance of the main concrete stormwater channel in the CBD. Where we can, we are committed to working collaboratively with Newcastle City Council to find a solution.”
Both Ms Hornery and the council want Hunter Water to put its money where its mouth is.
The MP called on Utilities Minister Don Harwin to “bring his cheque book” to Wallsend and “see the work Hunter Water needs to do”.
Lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the work, which some estimate to be more than $30 million, was “beyond the revenues of local government”.
“Quite simply, if Hunter Water's drain isn’t significantly widened, then during heavy rain the Wallsend CBD will continue to flood no matter what work council undertakes,” she said.