Sandbag flood response ‘saves houses’

FENCED OFF: Cr Lindsay Ellis, Rod Needham and City Hall environmental engineer Ralph Roob with the protective sand fence at Portarlington. 124663 Picture: Reg Ryan

An emergency sandbagging operation has saved houses from seawater flooding during an “extreme storm” at Portarlington, according to City Hall.
Ward councillor Lindsay Ellis said council workers rushed to Ramblers Rd after a confluence of weather and tide events began pushing flood water toward “a number of dwellings”.
The sea advanced toward the houses’ boundaries through a break in dunes but the sandbags held the water back, he said.
Resident Rod Needham said council’s response was “greatly appreciated”.
Council erected a sand fence along the shoreline after the June storm to prevent beach erosion and protect nearby homes, he said.