TIME FOR ACTION: Tony Catanzariti surveys the damage at his butchery during the March floods. Mr Catanzariti will join fellow Yoogali residents at a meeting on Thursday night to discuss solutions to the village’s drainage issues.
YOOGALI residents have taken matters into their own hands to flood-proof their village, calling a public meeting to demand action from council.
The village was one of the worst affected by the March floods, with many homes and businesses inundated and hundreds of residents evacuated.
Alongside the 200 invitations that have gone out for Thursday's meeting are special requests for local councillors Anne Napoli and Simon Croce to attend.
Resident Michael Fisher, who has helped to organise the gathering, said the main aim would be to get a conversation started between residents and council.
"Rather than talking about the problems, which everybody is already aware of, we are starting a solution-driven discussion," Mr Fisher said.
"It's about taking a sensible approach to diverting water away from Yoogali, stopping it from backing up in the town or getting it out once it's in.
"We know there's no simple solution, but we need to move forward and we want to do it collaboratively."
Yoogali's drainage problems have often resulted in water backing up in the main street after rain.
Business owners in Edon Street will join residents in demanding a solution.
"We have to do something this has been going on for years and council hasn't really done anything about it," Yoogali Butchery owner Tony Catanzariti said.
"If we don't jump up and down and make a bit of noise we're not going to get anywhere."
The meeting will start at 5.30pm on Thursday at the Yoogali Catholic Club.
All residents are invited.