Depending on how long you have been in town, the clogged waterway that sits below East St properties is known either as Hughes Creek or Macksville Drain.
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At last week’s meeting East St property owner Gary Soyka reminded Nambucca Shire councillors of the acute drainage problems there.
He reminded them too, that the problem had been on their radar for the last thirty two years.
“The creek is overgrown and silted and therefore properties alongside are prone to erosion and flooding,” Mr Soyka said.
“Erosion is the main issue – it is council’s obligation to mitigate it.
“The land I am asking them to take care of, between my boundary and the creek, is actually their own, they bought it in 1986.”
Mr Soyka illustrated his points with images, including one of a blocked drain downstream.
He said the $15,000 allocation recommended for bank stabilisation from the council’s Coast and Estuary Environmental Levy budget was a start but the issues were much bigger and more complex.
“Sometimes it is necessary to spend more money to avoid costly damages suits.”
Cr John Ainsworth said the council had been aware of the problem for a long time and while it was not a lot of money, it would hopefully start the process of rehabilitation.
A grant application made in 2014 for funds to develop a management plan for the maintenance of the creek was unsuccessful.
It was recommended the council seek funds again through the Office of Environment and Heritage Coast and Estuary Program.
Dredging of the waterway was not recommended.
The motion was passed unanimously.