Major works to mitigate flooding in the Delacombe area have begun.  

The project will almost double the capacity of pipes under the Glenelg Highway and also upgrade existing underground drainage in Banyule Drive and the adjacent service road.

The installation of a new 1350 mm concrete pipe under the Glenelg Highway will run parallel to the existing 1500 mm pipe, and will mean that in the event of a sudden heavy down pour, or prolonged rain, water will quickly drain away from low lying residential areas in Banyule Drive.

During the work the Glenelg Highway will be closed to traffic in both directions for three days between 19 July and 21 July.  Traffic will be detoured via Wiltshire Lane and Sutton Street while the works are in progress.

The project is programmed for completion in mid August.

Ballarat Mayor, Cr Craig Fletcher, who has been in regular contact with Banyule Drive residents since flash flooding in the area earlier this year, said the works had been fast tracked and he was confident the outcome would prevent flooding in the area in the future.

“Additional drainage works along Banyule Drive and the adjacent service road have been carried out, all part of the $500,000 flood mitigation works program Council announced in February as an immediate response to the severe summer flooding events which were understandably distressing for residents”, Cr Fletcher said.

“The area around Banyule Drive and the Glenelg Highway was subject to some of the most severe flooding after those summer storms.  We have been very conscious of the need to fix this problem as quickly as possible, and we are delivering on that commitment to residents”.

“In addition to this project, complementary drainage works to provide a flood retention basin at Doug Dean Reserve were completed last month.  A minor clean-up of the site will be finished once weather and site conditions improve” Cr Fletcher said.

Electronic message boards have been installed to pre-warn motorists of the temporary closure.  Residents, bus services and emergency services have also been notified.