The drain truth |
IN Monty Python's Life of Brian it was acknowledged the Romans gave them drains among other public works, and it is the same for the British in Victoria.
But two biblical-style downpours this summer have shown that colonial-era drainage in older suburbs cannot cope with a changed 21st century climate.
Nor can some insurers, procrastinating over technicalities to avoid payouts.
Parts of Hawthorn, Camberwell and Fairfield have become flood zones, as have many 19th century railway underpasses.
Units, apartment towers and car parks have been built or planned in leafy areas never designed for such intense habitation or rainwater run-off.
Councils happily collect fat rates but maintenance costs on old drains designed to handle only a one in five-year flood event escalate. Blaming Melbourne Water, which at least has a one in 100-year flood standard for new works, does not wash.
Long-term action to upgrade the capacity of huge infrastructure will be costly but essential over coming decades.
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