Horseshoe Lake drainage to provide flood protection

Work at Horseshoe Lake in Bunbury is finally under way following several years of the much-needed drainage upgrades being put off.

Geographe Civil has been at the East Bunbury site since the start of February as part of a project to upgrade the lake’s pump station to provide better flood protection.

City of Bunbury works and services director Gavin Harris said increased urban development and ageing infrastructure meant the project was necessary.

“The existing pipeline is old, deteriorated and has tree root intrusion issues ... the pumps are old and not meeting the expected demand due to their age and the way they are configured,” Mr Harris said.

“Current demand is higher than when they were originally constructed due to increased urban development in the storm water catchment area.”

The $1 million project was deferred for the past two years due to priority upgrades on Koombana Drive. Project manager Phillip Rowley said the works were tracking well and while workers would soon have to get off site for Western Power to move in temporarily, it was expected the project would be finished by September.

“Geographe Civil have been great, the project is going really well,” Mr Rowley said.

A replacement 980m pipe connecting the lake to Preston River, running under Robertson Drive has been completed and contractors were last week pressure testing.

Mayor Gary Brennan said he was happy to see the project going ahead.

“Most of it you can’t see what’s going on because it’s all underground, but it’s going to be a relief to the property owners in that area,” Mr Brennan said.

“When we get heavy rainfall the current drainage infrastructure can’t cope, but this will certainly cope.”