Drain works welcomed
Retailers in Kununurra have given the thumbs up to the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley's decision to upgrade drainage on Konkerberry Drive.
The Shire's acting chief executive Kevin Hannagan said $200,000 had been allocated to improve drainage on the road, with $120,000 set to be spent on the worst-affected area between Kimberley Fine Diamonds and Artlandish.
Stores backing on to the parking lot between the two stores were some of the worst affected by flash flooding in February when a tropical low south of the town dumped about 300mm of rain in three days. The rain was described as a once-in-50-years event.
The total cost of damage came to more than $3 million, with most of the works paid for by the West Australian Natural Disaster Relief Recovery Arrangement.
Mr Hannagan said the project would connect the Konkerberry drains to the existing drainage system at the corner of Banksia Street and Coolibah Drive.
Red Cross Kununurra manager Rose Sullivan said she was relieved to hear about the upgrades after watching the drains fill for two days until the water "couldn't go anywhere else" but inside the stores.
"We were in the middle of serving and water started coming in, and the next thing we knew it was up to our ankles," she said.
Subway Kununurra franchisee Rachell Fewster said the upgrades were desperately needed because "the carpark floods every time we get a downpour".
Mr Hannagan said the Shire would continue to carry out pre-wet season drain clearing.
In September, the Shire applied for a $2.5 million bank overdraft to cover the cost of the flood damage while they waited for funds from WANDRRA.
Main Roads WA managed to fast-track the Shire's claims so the money came through late last year.
