A SOUTH FREMANTLE homeowner says WaterCorp is trying to wash its hands of responsibility after last June’s major sewage spill forced him to replace 120-year-old floorboards in his cottage (“What a stinker,” Herald).
Donald Allison had to flee his Gold Street home when the diverted sewage left two rooms ankle-deep in muck, and says six months later he’s unable to move back in, stuck between a glacially slow insurer and the WaterCorp which told him it had closed his file.
“They couldn’t stop it flowing for three days,” he says of the incident.
“They sent clean-up crews, but they all fled because it kept going.
“It filled this entire cavity [under the floorboards], flooded the garden and remained that deep, so the boards soaked in sewage and they all buckled.”
• Donald Allison lost 120-year-old floorboards after last June’s sewage spill, and still can’t move back in. Photo by Steve Grant
That killed off hopes for sanding back and salvaging the timber, and they’ve since been pulled up, leaving a gaping chasm in the 1898-built cottage he’d recently finished renovating.
Mr Allison says while the authority told him it would pick up the excess on his insurance, it has watered down any help for additional costs to “might” and that’s got him worried because of the building’s age.
“It’s not even on stumps – even though it lasted 130 years – and they’re saying ‘if you have to do extra things to bring them up to modern codes, that’s not insurance.”
The WaterCorp sent a plumber and a “loss adjuster” to Mr Allison’s property, but when he pushed for answers on whether there was an issue with the network that left his property vulnerable to further problems, he was abruptly cut off.
“We have provided support to rectify the damage and impact of wastewater overflow… this concludes our incident response and a member of our team will check in with you from here to finalise your insurance excess reimbursement,” a senior advisor – customer delivery advised him.
• Sewage kept flowing into Mr Allison’s cottage.
Ombudsman
Mr Allison has now lodged a complaint with the Energy & Water Ombudsman and contacted local MP Simone McGurk’s office where he says for the first time he was told about a compensation package.
“The compensation package consists of [waiving] two water bills – so for $100,000 in damage, and it’s clear they’re at fault.
“I have to say, they returned almost a billion dollars to the government in 2023/24, and they’re just saying ‘well, what are you going to do about it?’,” he said.
A spokesperson from WaterCorp said they’d provided extensive support to homeowners affected by the wastewater overflow.
“This included initial clean-up and disinfection of affected areas, reimbursement of any insurance excesses, assistance with uninsured losses, temporary accommodation where required, and immediate practical support,” they said in a statement to the Chook.
“However, insurance companies are responsible for processing claims, consistent with individual policies which cover such incidents.
“Water Corporation has provided ongoing support since the overflow and remains willing to work with the customer to support an appropriate resolution.
As the matter is now before the Energy & Water Ombudsman, we are unable to engage directly during this process.
“Restoration works at Bruce Lee Oval, Beaconsfield were undertaken in accordance with Department of Health procedures, which requires remediation of wastewater overflows in public spaces to eliminate potential public health risks.
“Work included the removal and replacement of soil and turf to ensure the area was safe for community use.
“The overflow affecting the property in South Fremantle was linked to wastewater diversions required following the Spearwood incident.
“No other properties outside the Spearwood and Beaconsfield impact zone were affected.
“We understand the disruption caused by this incident and sincerely apologise to those affected.”
by STEVE GRANT