Fed up with the lack of action on clearing the silt, debris and suckers from the Creswick Creek, residents are fearful of a repeat of the floods that left many homeless in 2011.

Barry Goldsmith, a Clunes native of 67 years, said many residents along the creek who were forced to evacuate in 2011 were concerned that they might again be forced from their homes.

“People of Clunes are concerned every time it rains,” he said. “We flooded in 2011 because it was full of suckers that should have been taken out when the creek was empty.

“They’re stopping the creek flowing as it’s supposed to.

“If nothing is done all these people will get flooded again.”

Mr Goldsmith said a combination of three metres of built-up silt and overgrown suckers was impacting on the flow of the creek that potentially had a detrimental result if left untamed.

“There is over 43 years of neglect, the silt has built up and the suckers are everywhere,” he said. 

“If they don’t do something, winter is coming and we don’t want another winter like 2011.

“But no one seems to want to do anything about it.”

Resident Brian Hislop, who was assured of no flooding before moving to his property by the creek 25 years ago, said he was disappointed in the lack of attention to ensure there wouldn’t be a repeat of 2011.

“They had a meeting after the floods and promised they would be back,” he said.

“But we haven’t heard anything. It’s disheartening that they went away and left the victims like this.

“The creek is low, now is the time to do something.”

North Central CMA acting Loddon and Avoca executive manager Greg Barber said the organisation had been back twice to poison any regrowth in the waterway. 

“North Central CMA led the development of the Clunes Flood Mitigation and Urban Drainage Plan in conjunction with the Hepburn Shire Council and a community based steering committee following the devastating flood events of 2010-11,” he said.

“Following the flood events in 2010-11, North Central CMA received one-off funding to remove debris and exotic vegetation that had choked Creswick Creek ... 

“Flood modelling undertaken as part of the Clunes Flood Plan indicates that while these works would not prevent flooding if there was a repeat of the January 2011 flood event, they will decrease flood levels by approximately 250mm, therefore lessening the impact of flooding.”

alicia.thomas@fairfaxmedia.com.au