The Beginnings of Patterson Lakes..

Aerial view showing early formation of Patterson Lakes, 1974. Introduction The creation of the suburb of Patterson Lakes is a remarkable story and well worth recording. Few people could imagine that anything good could be achieved from the low-lying and partly flood prone land adjacent to the Patterson River. Certainly in the late 1960's and early 1970's, there were many sceptics in the local Carrum area. The suburb owes its existence to a group of Victorian Civil Engineers and in particular, to Donald Cameron, whose vision and skill enabled the problems of the land to be overcome. The Concept The development of residential areas adjacent to canals and waterways had been carried out successfully in many places. In Australia, the canal developments in Queensland's Gold Coast and at Sylvania Waters in New South Wales, had long proved how popular they were for those who liked to live on the water. No-one had attempted to do this in Victoria. When Donald Cameron looked closely at the land adjoining the Patterson River, he saw the possibility of an exciting development. If it proved to be feasible and practicable, it would give home owners’ access to Port Phillip Bay from their "back door". Aerial view of the future site of the Patterson Lakes Project, 1939. It was clear that any new community should be carefully planned and should offer a range of life styles. Not all owners might like to live on canals or enjoy power boating. The idea developed that some non-tidal or "quiet" lakes would allow sailing and swimming. This concept was misunderstood by some who expected to see canals for power boating in the early stages.

The Land A large part of the area to the east of Carrum had flooded in the 1930's and 1950's, but to the engineers investigating the land, the important issues were why this occurred and how it could be prevented from occurring again. A common misconception was that the area was all swamp and mud. Extensive drilling found that only a surface layer of peat-like material was unsuitable. Underneath this layer was fine dense sand. The engineers realised that once the unsuitable material was removed (and used to strengthen levee banks and create landscaped areas and reserves) they would then be able to excavate to form lakes and canals, and use the excavated sand in forming residential sites. By using this fine, dense, carefully compacted sand, all the proposed residential sites would be brought to a level above that required by the authorities. Aerial view of development. Mornington Peninsula Freeway and Thompson Road, 1974. Zoning and Local Authorities There was a complex situation with the controlling authorities. Approximately two thirds of the area was within the City of Springvale and one third within the City of Chelsea. The Melbourne & Metropolitan Board of Works was responsible not only for water supply and sewerage but was also the planning authority. The Dandenong Valley Authority was the responsible body for main drainage and the Patterson River itself. A number of other authorities and organisations also required liaison and information in the preliminary stages of the development. [1] (Many changes have occurred since the 1970's, with the City of Kingston now having responsibility for the area and Melbourne Water taking over the MMBW and the D.V.A.) The majority of the land was zoned rural and to obtain rezoning for residential purposes proved to be a difficult task. In terms of overall planning principles, there seemed to be no sound objection to rezoning, particularly since housing at Chelsea Heights had been allowed to extend eastward to Wells Road some years earlier. It was necessary to present to the relevant authorities a very detailed engineering proposal, to prove that the Patterson Lakes Project was feasible and completely safe. Planning Matters The connection of McLeod Road with Thompsons Road was an essential part of the new road layout. It was necessary to "lift" McLeod Road with a bridge structure, to enable boats to gain access from new canals to the River and the Bay. The Mornington Peninsula Freeway was being planned by the Country Roads Board (later to become Vic Roads) and they compulsorily acquired a large portion of the developer's land for the proposed interchange at Thompsons Road. This affected the planning of the area in a substantial manner. Central sites were planned for a shopping centre and for a marina which would have a second access to the river via flood gates. Sites for housing and apartments overlooking the marina and the river were identified. Sites for a primary school and for community facilities were also incorporated into the overall plan. Also the project was "different", in that more than a hundred non-lake, residential sites were created to further the concept of a new community having a mix of socio-economic groups. Covenants were placed on titles for the lake and canal allotments to ensure preservation of water views and prevent inappropriate development too close to the waters edge. This ensured that a high standard of development was maintained in the early stages.

A plant nursery was established and for years, all new residents were given free native plants and trees to be sure that a true Australian landscape was achieved. In more recent times, control of unsuitable development has been managed by the City of Kingston through planning schemes Houses fronting onto lake with native plants. Environmental Issues and Delays To create a community with strong environmental and aesthetic features by utilising the drainage system (i.e. lakes and waterways) was an imaginative concept. Once proved successful at Patterson Lakes, other residential estates in Victoria adopted the concept and included lakes in their planning. When Patterson Lakes was first proposed, concern was expressed that the swamp at Carrum was valuable for migratory wading birds. Investigations by different groups eventually established certain facts; 1. that only approximately 50 acres near McLeod Road was of value for wading birds; 2. that this land was privately owned; 3. that far larger wetlands were used by the birds at Edithvale and Seaford (remnants of the original Carrum Swamp), and 4. that these two areas were on Government-owned land and secure for wetlands purposes. Despite some emotional articles in the press on this issue, it was clear that the Lakes Project would not deprive birds of permanent wetlands. [2] In fact, in later years residents of the "quiet lakes" frequently enjoyed the visits of sand pipers, dotterels, swans and pelicans on the sandy lake shores. In other respects, the proposed development obtained support from the authorities who recognised the environmental benefits it would bring to the area. [3] Some of the objections raised seemed to be based on the idea that because part of this land at the rear of Carrum had been subject to flooding on previous occasions, no development should be allowed at that time. Considerable delay was caused whilst detailed engineering solutions were presented to answer these concerns. Many doubted that anyone could make a new suburb out of land with a drainage problem but looking at Patterson Lakes in 2008, it is clear that the developers have done this successfully. Another frustrating and more serious delay to the Project was caused by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Board of Works and its chairman at the time. The application to rezone the land to "Residential" was refused for more than 15 months, despite strong recommendations from the local Councils, no objection from the Board's own planning department and support from local parliamentarians. Not widely recognised is the fact that this delay forced the developers to commence residential sales during a depressed or down-turned market. Drainage Details Drainage of the areas adjacent to the River was poor or non-existent and the reasons for this and the methods of overcoming this situation required the application of a considerable amount of technical expertise. The detailed drainage investigations by independent engineers and the Dandenong Valley Authority resulted in many reports consisting of numerous pages. Patterson River in Flood, 1978. Put simply the river was the outfall to the sea for the stormwater run-off from a huge upstream catchment. The Dandenong and Eumemmering Creeks directed flows to the Patterson and Mordialloc outlets. As time passed, increased development upstream resulted in greater flows and the authorities, mainly the D.V.A., were frequently confronted with flood flows after storms. On occasions, storm water overtopped the levee banks on each side of each outlet. Over the years, these levee banks were strengthened and increased in height to contain flood flows. Eventually, the D.V.A. was confident that their increased and strengthened levee banks provided a high degree of safety for adjoining land and for the low lying areas of existing housing at Carrum. [4] Engineers then studied tidal records and determined that the fluctuating levels of high and low tide would be acceptable if the proposed canal system were connected with the Patterson River. Only during extreme flood conditions would the river level reach unacceptable heights. To deal with these occasions, infrequent though they might be, engineers designed a set of flood gates to be built through the levee bank of the river. The gates would remain open to allow boat traffic to pass from the canals to the river and Port Phillip Bay.

As design details were finalised, it was decided that a duplicate set of gates should be built as a safeguard against a fault developing with the first pair of gates at a critical time. This set of double flood gates was sometimes referred to, incorrectly, as "lock-gates". The gates would provide complete safety from river flood waters affecting the proposed canals. Engineers calculated that they would be open for boat access 99% of the time, as flood conditions could be expected on very few occasions. Two further drainage matters are of interest. Creating lakes and canals with water levels about 4' (1.2m) lower than the floor level of any housing provided a huge storage capacity for stormwater. The developers gave an example that a storm over Lake Legana delivering 5" 125mm) of rain in 24 hours would only lift the lake level by 12" (300mm) and by even less in the tidal canals. Notwithstanding this large factor of safety, pumping stations were designed to give the option of moving stormwater to either the Patterson River or the Eel Race Drain. It is common knowledge that water quality in Kananook Creek has improved since occasional pumping of water has been carried out from the Southern Tidal canals of Patterson Lakes into Eel Race Drain. Lake Legana being formed. Note Peninsula Freeway and Patterson River, 1978. Water Quality Expert consultants in a number of disciplines were engaged to ensure that the first "quiet" lakes were not only attractive and aesthetically pleasing, but also that water quality was kept high. To provide options for renewal water, a deep bore was installed, and as a back-up system, a pipeline from the beach front at Carrum was installed to bring sea water to the lakes, if it was ever required. For many years following the completion of Lake Legana in 1974, regular scientific tests of the water confirmed its very high quality (e.g. high dissolved oxygen, nil-ecoli, etc.). In fact, the water in the non-tidal lakes has continued to meet the standard for body contact recreation (i.e. swimming) and the Developers answered the sceptics' doubts about water quality in the best possible way. Some 33 years after Lake Legana was filled, people are still enjoying swimming and sailing and recreation around sandy beaches. A natural eco-system has developed in the lake, with weed growth and fish needing occasional attention. From time to time algael growth has occurred but no chemicals have ever been added. A very active Patterson Lakes Advisory Committee works with Melbourne Water concerning on-going maintenance of the lakes.

However, there is no doubt that the developers "quiet lake" concept has been a success. Needless to say, the seawater pipeline was never used and was abandoned. Eventually the developers tackled the huge task of excavating material from the bed of the river. The removal of thousands of cubic metres of silt and mud from within the levee banks, allowed sea water to flow right back to Wells Road. The resultant wide expanse of tidal water became an outstanding feature of the whole of the Patterson Lakes project. It is worth noting that when the developers completed the river work and proved how feasible it was, Government authorities carried out similar improvements within the river upstream of Wells Road. Although not tidal, this new section of waterway became the National Water Sports Centre. Community Development The developers put a lot of effort into helping new residents settle in. Not only did they donate one of the "old" houses in Legana Court for community purposes, but they also constructed two tennis courts for residents to use. Later in the project the developers donated land on the southern side of Thompsons Road, opposite the shopping centre, for a community centre. A fine modern building was later constructed by the Springvale Council and became a focus for many resident activities and in particular, by the primary school for their assemblies and functions. Aerial view of Patterson Lakes showing Lake Illawong, Thompson Road, Mornington Peninsula Freeway, Lake View Shopping Centre and housing, Mariners Island, Admirals’ Quay and Floodgate, 1978. Before any residents association was formed, a group of residents decided to express their Christian faith by serving the new community. They felt that it was not necessary for churches to try and establish in the area, so they formed the Community Life Centre, a loosely structured interdenominational group. They commenced the first youth club and began a Sunday school for kids; they began adult discussion groups which met fortnightly and people enjoyed a lot of togetherness as they discussed the problems of the world and the development of their community. Eventually, a once a month church service commenced, first in homes, then in the primary school and later in the new council community building. Ministers from different churches were invited to speak. This group placed great emphasis on caring for people, and were very active with helping the elderly in the retirement villages and apartments which had been created. Christmas carols on the river bank, with the Mordialloc City Band, were popular. The leaders of the Life Centre group were respected and appreciated as they helped those who were ill or bereaved. Their work provided a good basis for the new community. It was a rare but commendable exercise in ecumenical co-operation and practical Christianity. The Developer The Victorian engineers who initiated the Lakes Project formed the Gladesville Group of Companies and enabled local investors to share in the subdivisional process.
These included a wide range of "small" shareholders and professional people who were excited by the concept. In fact, there was no large or well-established company involved with this Gladesville Group. Merchant Builders, A.V. Jennings and other builders only purchased allotments and built houses as the development progressed. Finance for the project was arranged with a subsidiary of the CBC of Sydney Bank. Day to day management of the project was carried out by Gladesville Management Services and key personnel were Donald Cameron, John Corp, John Gooden and Bruce Walker (as Finance Director). Appointed as Executive Director was Barry Arnold who joined the Company after more than 20 years local government service with the Cities of Sandringham, Essendon and Dandenong. [5] Rupert Hamer, Premier of Victoria, speaks with young children at the Official Opening of the Lakes Project. Donald Cameron to the right. The City Engineer of Springvale, Mr Roy Boyd, and the Chief Engineer of the Dandenong Valley Authority, Mr John Mann, gave positive and professional encouragement to the developers. There were a number of consultants who were critical to the success of the project, contributing their expertise to the creation of this new suburb. [6] In addition there were many other individuals who worked tirelessly for the project - sales managers, contract supervisors, landscape designers and arborists, accountants and other office staff. A Bitter-Sweet Final Chapter Despite the developers having expert financial advice and having made careful cash flow predictions, two things made life difficult for them. One was the high front-end or initial capital cost involved in bringing mains sewerage, water supply and underground electricity supply, pumping stations and flood gates, etc., before subdivisional sales could take place. The second was the unreasonable delay inflicted on them by the Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works which deferred re-zoning and led to marketing of properties during a depressed economy period. Sales were slower than anticipated and as each year went by and more stages of development were constructed, the developer's management company struggled with the ever-increasing interest charges on their borrowings. Patterson Lakes was taking shape and looking good but income never quite exceeded expenditure. Aerial view of Patterson Lakes – Showing Iluka Island, Lake Legana, and Mornington Peninsula Freeway, 1978. Unfortunately, the finance company decided not to wait for the final stages of the project to bring in the expected profit. They withdrew their support, and in effect, invited the developer (the Gladesville Group of Companies) to hand over control to the finance company. They apparently appreciated the outstanding work done by the developers but believed they could finish the project's later stages more quickly and more economically than Gladesville. Shareholders in the Gladesville Companies (and there were many local people) were offered only 10c in $1 for their shares. This must have left a bitter taste in their mouths, after creating the start of a very attractive suburb and seeing the final return only a few more years ahead! Subsequently, sections of the as-yet undeveloped balance of the land holdings were sold off to other developers. Large areas north of the river were sold for "normal" or non-lake development sites, which had originally been planned for canal type sites. Whatever the rights and wrongs of this change of control, the community south of the river went ahead and became a thriving residential suburb. Spare a thought for those who did make a "Silk Purse out of a Sow's Ear" - who overcame great difficulties and showed tremendous engineering and planning skills - but lost their investment despite their best efforts. As resident associations, boating groups and elected councillors guide the future of Patterson Lakes, we do well to pay a tribute to the engineers and shareholders of the Gladesville Group. We owe them a vote of thanks, at the very least! Trucks lined up to take away soil excavated to form lakes in Stage One of the project. The bridge of Mornington Peninsula Freeway in background.
Author
Barry Arnold
Footnotes

Authorities contacted included: State Electricity Commission, Country Roads Board, State Rivers & Water Supply Commission, Town and Country Planning Board, Port Phillip Authority, Environmental Protection Authority, Royal Australian Ornithological Union, and Field Naturalists Club of Victoria. “Spare a Thought for the Birds” MordiallocChelsea News, April 19, 1972. Williams, W. D. & Timms, B. V., Report on Ecological Implications of the Patterson Lakes Project, Monash University, September 1971.; Randall, C., The Herald, September 1973. The authority determined that land for any new housing should be at, or above, R.L. 7.0' and that floor levels be at least 1' higher at R.L. 8.0'. The Chief Engineer of the D.V.A., Mr. John Mann, confirmed these levels in a subsequent letter to project consultants dated 17th May, 1974. All the housing sites at Patterson Lakes were created at or above these levels; higher in fact than much of the Carrum area.
Barry Arnold's experience in the fields of civil design and subdivisional control enabled him to play a leading role in persuading government authorities that the lakes development was feasible and based on sound engineering design. He also found himself addressing many local clubs and organizations to answer questions and concerns about the new project.
Consultants to the project: Mr. Graeme Shaw of Earle Shaw & Partners Architects and Town Planners; Mr. Ted Ashton of Lumsden & Ashton - Architects and Town Planners; Cameron MacNamara & Partners - Civil Engineers; Caldwell Connell & Associates - Engineers and Environmental Scientists; Golder Moss & Partners - Soils Engineers; A.T. Cocks & Associates - Valuers & Property Consultants; Mr. John Heywood of H.R. Hill & Co. - Agent & Valuer; Mr. Laurie Kerr - International Public Relations; Mr. Ron Withers of Withers Constructions Civil Contractors John Heywood, Estate Agent with H R Hill & Co, Mordialloc. "In the late 60’s and early 70’s I was marketing for a group of businessmen in the Braeside-Mordialloc industrial area. I was asked to look into the possibility of acquiring land on either side of Patterson River – Chelsea Heights to Eel Race Drain. If this came to fruition a new suburb, later to be called Patterson Lakes was in the making. The first waterways, quiet lakes and canals to be built in Victoria.
This was a very delicate operation, first asking the farmers along Wells Road and surrounds for their thoughts and expectations for such a scheme. All had to agree to make it a success. Fortunately I was in the position of knowing a good 50% of the land owners through living and working in the area and some having association with my father years prior. I was able to keep them informed on progress, gaining trust and loyalty, whereby the land owner sold the land at its zoned price (farmland) in the hope in the foreseeable future re-zoning to residential and then further incentives paid from the purchases, would enable the dream of a lakes project to eventuate. Over the next two plus years many obstacles had to be overcome, i.e., planning, councils, MMBW, DVA and the like together with many objections. Eventually, with the trust of the landowners and the cooperation of the DVA and Springvale Council, all the land required for the Gladesville Group to start building Patterson Lakes was acquired."



Footnotes

Authorities contacted included: State Electricity Commission, Country Roads Board, State Rivers & Water Supply Commission, Town and Country Planning Board, Port Phillip Authority, Environmental Protection Authority, Royal Australian Ornithological Union, and Field Naturalists Club of Victoria.
“Spare a Thought for the Birds” MordiallocChelsea News, April 19, 1972.
Williams, W. D. & Timms, B. V., Report on Ecological Implications of the Patterson Lakes Project, Monash University, September 1971.; Randall, C., The Herald, September 1973.
The authority determined that land for any new housing should be at, or above, R.L. 7.0' and that floor levels be at least 1' higher at R.L. 8.0'. The Chief Engineer of the D.V.A., Mr. John Mann, confirmed these levels in a subsequent letter to project consultants dated 17th May, 1974. All the housing sites at Patterson Lakes were created at or above these levels; higher in fact than much of the Carrum area.
Barry Arnold's experience in the fields of civil design and subdivisional control enabled him to play a leading role in persuading government authorities that the lakes development was feasible and based on sound engineering design. He also found himself addressing many local clubs and organizations to answer questions and concerns about the new project.
Consultants to the project: Mr. Graeme Shaw of Earle Shaw & Partners Architects and Town Planners; Mr. Ted Ashton of Lumsden & Ashton - Architects and Town Planners; Cameron MacNamara & Partners - Civil Engineers; Caldwell Connell & Associates - Engineers and Environmental Scientists; Golder Moss & Partners - Soils Engineers; A.T. Cocks & Associates - Valuers & Property Consultants; Mr. John Heywood of H.R. Hill & Co. - Agent & Valuer; Mr. Laurie Kerr - International Public Relations; Mr. Ron Withers of Withers Constructions Civil Contractors
John Heywood, Estate Agent with H R Hill & Co, Mordialloc. "In the late 60’s and early 70’s I was marketing for a group of businessmen in the Braeside-Mordialloc industrial area. I was asked to look into the possibility of acquiring land on either side of Patterson River – Chelsea Heights to Eel Race Drain. If this came to fruition a new suburb, later to be called Patterson Lakes was in the making. The first waterways, quiet lakes and canals to be built in Victoria. This was a very delicate operation, first asking the farmers along Wells Road and surrounds for their thoughts and expectations for such a scheme. All had to agree to make it a success. Fortunately I was in the position of knowing a good 50% of the land owners through living and working in the area and some having association with my father years prior. I was able to keep them informed on progress, gaining trust and loyalty, whereby the land owner sold the land at its zoned price (farmland) in the hope in the foreseeable future re-zoning to residential and then further incentives paid from the purchases, would enable the dream of a lakes project to eventuate. Over the next two plus years many obstacles had to be overcome, i.e., planning, councils, MMBW, DVA and the like together with many objections. Eventually, with the trust of the landowners and the cooperation of the DVA and Springvale Council, all the land required for the Gladesville Group to start building Patterson Lakes was acquired."



Article Cat. Land and Environment
Article Ref. 420

 

The floods of the 1920's and the Carrum Swamp... 


The Carrum Swamp was a rich source of food for members of the aboriginal Bunurong tribe. The early surveyors who recommended that the area be made available for farming also recognized the richness of the soil. Provision for committing the swamp to agriculture was made in the 1869 Land Act. Those individuals who were successful in gaining a grant were immediately faced with the problem of too much water. The Dandenong and Eumemmerring creeks discharged their waters into the swamp from where the water gained inadequate access to Port Phillip Bay through Mordialloc and Kananook creeks. [1] Norman McSwain, one of the early selectors wrote to the department of Lands pointing out the only way to improve the situation was through the provision of drainage. The Dandenong Roads Board and the Dandenong Shire made tentative efforts at drainage without any marked success. In 1872 those present at a public meeting agreed that all selectors would pay a levy towards a fund known as Drainage Fund of the Carrum Swamp Land. With this money some drains were constructed. Several channels were created to link the Dandenong Creek to the Mordialloc Creek and the Eumemmerring Creek to the Kananook Creek. In 1878 the Minister of Public Works, J B Patterson, recommended that a channel be cut through the sand ridge to the sea to allow the excess water to escape. The thirty foot wide cutting, which later became known as the Patterson River, completed in 1879, gave some relief but the problem was not solved. Mouth of the Patterson River narrowed with silt, 1965. Courtesy Leader Collection. In 1904 the Carrum Swamp was once again flooded. The Mordialloc Creek overflowed its banks, and a breakaway occurred in the banks of the Patterson River flooding an area 9 miles by 7 miles. Crops of potatoes were rotting in the ground, plantings of cabbages and onions were destroyed and stacks of hay were spoiled by soakage. Tenants holding up to 55 acres were unable to meet commitments of rent and rates, and there was no food for stock. They and their families faced a very bleak winter as other jobs were not readily available. Approximately three hundred families were affected. [2] A severe storm struck the district in November 1922 causing residents to once again question the adequacy of drainage. Plate glass windows were blown in, fences flattened, and trees uprooted. The roofs of numerous outbuildings and poultry sheds were thrown into the air as though they were paper. The Mentone and Mordialloc piers suffered damage with planks being unfastened. [3] The drain, which carried storm waters from Cheltenham to the Mordialloc creek, caused flooding as it passed through Mentone and Parkdale. The damage it created caused considerable agitation amongst ratepayers. Over the course of years the course of the drain had been altered. In summer sewerage matter in the drain became offensive due to the lack of sufficient water to flush it out. Consequently it became a health hazard. Despite this the council was reluctant to commit any money to resolve the flooding, and the lack of flow at other times, as the Board of Works had indicated its intention to take over responsibility for the drain. [4] On Friday , November 12, 1923 a phenomenal downpour of rain resulted in the Mordialloc Creek overflowing its banks causing extensive flooding. Water flowed through eight buildings in Chute Street to a depth of about one foot. Portions of Krone and Edith streets were feet deep in water while the Epsom racecourse was covered with three feet of water. Many of the roads were impassable. With the rupture of levy banks on the south side of the creek the area from there to Edithvale became covered feet deep in water. Acres of vegetable crops, chiefly cabbages, were ruined. The site of the proposed new high school was a swirling mass of water. This break in the banks of the creek relieved the pressure on the Mordialloc side.


The Carrum end of the swamp suffered least and while the Patterson River rose considerably at no point near the town did it overflow its banks. Within twenty-four hours most of the water had disappeared. Land on the Epsom racecourse which was feet deep with water on Saturday by Monday had cows contentedly grazing. Flooding at Mordialloc, 1971. Courtesy Leader Collection. While not all residents were personally inconvenienced by the flooding water there were annoying after effects. The myriad of frogs in the flooded areas set up a chorus of croaking early each evening and could be heard for some distance from their location. Golfers were denied their game of golf. The local newspaper, perhaps in a jocular fashion, reported that golfers were deliberating upon the advisability of forming a water polo team while waiting for the waters to subside. A large number of children took advantage of the situation to engage in water-based activities despite the presence of barbed wire, broken glass and thorns. Some bathed in the floodwaters rather than using the fine safe nearby beach. Pickets stacked at the Chelsea recreation reserve to be used to erect a fence instead became the material for boys “to construct rafts used to sail the inland sea.” [5] Dr Le Souef, the Borough Health Officer, asked the council whether anything could be done “to prevent floods and the consequent plague of frogs and mosquitoes together with the unsavoury aroma that results.” Cr Beardsworth responded with a positive answer. He suggested the problem occurred because of bungling and incompetence and directed his spleen at the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission. The secondary drain, he claimed, was neither deep enough nor wide enough to do the work required of it. Its capacity was insufficient to handle the rush of water that occasionally occurred. Moreover, it was full of “debris of all varieties, overgrown with weeds and fouled with water grasses. Wire fences that crossed it were allowed to sag into the water catching the debris that was floating by.” A deputation to the Minister responsible was required “to demand that the secondary drain be deepened, widened, and regularly kept cleaned, and free from all debris.” [6] Cr Beardsworth reminded his colleagues that the district contained a wonderful asset in its agricultural section and they needed to look inland as well as to the beach. He warned that people would not continue to pay high drainage rates while at the same time risk losing valuable crops. Shortly after the council discussed the problem of flooding the State Rivers Department made an inspection of the area and undertook to carry out flood prevention work. Promises were made to improve the secondary drain so that it could cope with large future flows of water. Its entire length was to be dredged, banks built up and the drain widened at the Mordialloc end. Fences over the drain were to conform to a standard so that the full flow of water was not obstructed. Moreover, arrangements were to be made for the drain to be cleaned out regularly. Unfortunately, as “One Who Has Suffered by the Floods” pointed out, the improvements could not be undertaken until the flood waters that were covering a substantial area had disappeared. Heavy rains almost twelve months later once again caused flooding with disastrous results for many families. Again people were asking why this was happening. Frank Groves the local member of State parliament said it was the accumulation of ‘foreign’ flood waters coming down in large volume from the hill country which made it impossible for local drains to cope. A public meeting in the Wells Road hall attended by about 50 people asked Groves to arrange for a deputation to meet with the Minister of Water Supply to discuss a number of proposals including the fast tracking of the Hallam- Kananook Creek Scheme and the widening of the Eumemmerring Creek and subsidiary drains. [9] The Minister of Water Supply visited Carrum the next month to personally investigate the drainage question. After the inspection he said it was apparent that blunders of the past had contributed to the present condition of things, and it was the duty of the Government to give relief. He was very sympathetic and promised to place the position before his colleagues in cabinet. [10] In March 1925 Councillors from the Borough of Carrum and the Shire of Dandenong, together with some of the Wells Road farmers, met with Dethridge and Conradi from the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission. Mr Dethridge pointed out that the drains had been cleared recently but the rushes and grass were again growing rapidly and were liable to check the flow of water. He thought it was necessary to allow cattle to feed on the grass and so keep it down. He also explained the option of enlarging the opening at the Mordialloc end to allow water further back to get away.

Those present expressed the hope that the suggested work would be undertaken before the onset of winter to give some relief to those living on the swamp. [11] The hopes of residents, councillors and members of parliament that the excess water problem would be solved so that in the future no family would face the damage to homes and the loss of crops was not to be realised. A massive flood in 1934 rendered more than a thousand people homeless. [12] State Relief Committee providing clothing to victims of the 1934 flood. Courtesy Kingston Collection. In 1952 about 1200 people were forced to leave their homes because of rapidly rising floodwaters between Aspendale and Carrum. [13] The local member of the State parliament, David Lean, announced in March 1999 that the problem of flooding would be beaten with the building of a Secondary Drain Pumping Station to disperse water from properties between the Mordialloc Creek and Patterson River. [14] So far the floods of the 1920s, 1930s and 1950s have not been repeated; rather more recently the concern has been the lack of sufficient water to maintain the bio-diversity of the natural areas of the Carrum Swamp.



Footnotes

See articles: Nixon/Whitehead/Young/Comport on Kingston Historical Website, http://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au
Argus, February 1904.
Carrum Borough Gazette, November 4, 1922.
Carrum Borough Gazette, November 4, 1922.
Moorabbin News, October 20, 1923.
Carrum Borough Gazette, Friday, November 9, 1923.                                                                               Carrum Borough Gazette, Friday, November 9, 1923.
Carrum Borough Gazette, November 30, 1923.
Borough Gazette, September 12, 1924.
Borough Gazette, October 17, 1924.
Carrum Borough Gazette, March 21, 1925.
See Whitehead, G., Blowing a Storm in 1934 Article 212; Jones, Keith Neville, We were standing in it in 1934 - Article 132. http://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au
The Herald, July 15, 1952.
Community News, Patterson Lakes edition, March 1999.



Article Cat. Did You Know?
Article Ref. 409


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