Leaver Street in Yenda during the March floods. Picture: Anthony Stipo
FLOOD-AFFECTED residents of Yenda and Yoogali have grasped tightly to an olive branch offered by council two weeks ago.
The promise of financial support and an undertaking to look into solutions to the villages' drainage problems has delighted residents who have been asking for assistance for many months.
The financial contribution will come in the form of 200kl of free water on each household's first trimester water bill.
A Yenda Rotary Club proposal to pump excess water through an existing siphon to prevent water build-up in Dredge Street will be fast-tracked by council.
Yenda Progress Association president Kay Pelizzer said residents were "ecstatic" to know something would be done about drainage at the lowest end of the village.
"It's just wonderful to hear," Mrs Pelizzer said.
"We'd like something done with the whole drainage system throughout the town, so knowing they're looking into some options is a good start."
The offer of free water came about after outraged flood victims were sent water and sewer bills for houses they had been unable to inhabit for many months.
Councillor Christine Stead took the cause into her own hands and fought for affected residents to be given rate relief or financial assistance as compensation.
Among the possible solutions devised by council staff was changing the city's rate structure so Yenda and Yoogali residents paid less but the rest of the population would have to pay higher rates to make up the difference.
"It will be fabulous to have a chunk cut out of our water bills and I thank council very much for offering it," Mrs Pelizzer said.
"It's better than taking money off the people of Griffith everyone's doing it tough and you don't want to push your problems on someone else.
"This is definitely a step forward now all council needs to do is get on with their inquiry into the floods so we can prevent the same thing happening again."
Former Yoogali Progress Association secretary Michael Fisher said the fee relief would be appreciated by all within council's specified "flood zone".
"It's excellent that they've done this for us," Mr Fisher said.
"I was personally affected by the flooding and I know it has been pretty difficult for those concerned. This goodwill gesture from council will make a big difference to local families."
Council staff will put together a schedule of projects to improve stormwater drainage in Yenda and Yoogali over the next three months.
A review of a 2011 flood study was also initiated and council is hoping to work with nearby councils to complete an inquiry into the Mirrool Creek catchment.
