Cardinia washout

By Melissa Meehan
HEAVY downpours and poor drainage have left the Cardinia Cricket Club without a home ground in 2011.
Life member of the club Ian Ridgway said the Cardinia Recreation Reserve had been left waterlogged due to a lack of drainage at the oval, and no cricket has been played on the ground this season.
“It’s hard to run a cricket club without a home ground being available,” he said.
“The club has six sides – this means other grounds have to be found or games are forfeited – if something isn’t done soon the club is likely to lose players to other clubs which would devastate the club.”
Mr Ridgway said the reserve committee had met with consultants and Cardinia Shire engineers on a number of occasions, but had no success.
Cardinia Shire spokesman Paul Dunlop said the shire was aware of drainage issues at the Cardinia Recreation Reserve and had been meeting with the recreation reserve committee about the matter.
“Plans have been put in place with one of our contractors in an attempt to alleviate the drainage problem,” he said.
“Scheduled works highlight council’s commitment to repairing and improving drainage systems and flood proofing the shire.”
The February floods caused up to $5 million damage to roads and drains throughout the shire, and the increased follow-up seasonal rains have placed further pressure on local drainage systems.
“In addition to normal drainage, clearances and related works to six roads are scheduled for this financial year at a cost of $280,000,” Mr Dunlop said.
“Scheduled road works are updated weekly and available to the public on council’s website.”