Hobsons Bay council is calling for stricter planning controls following last week’s storm surge which turned Altona and Seaholme underground garages into swimming pools.
In the past, developers along the Esplanade have taken the council to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal after council officers advised against building subterranean garages.
While the council says it must plan for climate change, long-term residents and Bureau of Meteorology forecasters say last week’s flooding was nothing new and not a result of climate change.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Phil King said the seawater level had increased from 60-80 centimetres above normal.
“What it was was a vigorous front and a low- pressure system that came up over west Bass Strait and went right over central Bass Strait into West Gippsland … and a combination of the low pressure from the very intense small low, and strong to gale-force west, south-westerly winds can cause storm surge problems.”
Minutes from a 1963 council meeting refer to extensive damage along the foreshore, trees blown down in Logan Reserve, a section of old seawall near Sargood Street (Altona) collapsing and council pumping units fully engaged in pumping stormwater.
Hobsons Bay mayor Sandra Wilson said ongoing investigation into “coastal hazard vulnerability” was needed to help the council make decisions on future development in areas like Altona. “We have long advocated for a review of state government planning policy so that clear criteria can be used by the council in planning for, prioritising, managing or avoiding potential risks.
“This uncertainty has not been clarified through related planning cases brought to VCAT for review.”
The council refers planning permit applications to Melbourne Water – the designated floodplain management authority – to obtain expert advice on applications in areas like Altona.
Building regulations include flood-related responsibilities for the council and set minimum floor levels in consultation with Melbourne Water and assessment of flood risk in the area.
But real estate agents say property prices are unlikely to be affected by events like last week’s flooding of “millionaires’ row” in Altona and Seaholme.
Altona Laverton Historical Society president and real estate agent Peter Weaver said with recent sales ranging from $1 million to $1.9 million, Altona was still being discovered.
He said his father had dubbed Altona “the Brighton of the west” and only a few hundred houses in the western suburbs of Melbourne enjoyed a true beachfront aspect.
