SES use boats to rescue residents in Schofields by Dino Crescini

April 22, 2015. STATE Emergency Services (SES) workers had to use boats to rescue people from flooded homes in Grange Avenue, Schofields, as the deluge delivered more flood waters in the North West Sydney from Rouse Hill to Riverstone.

St. Marys Star quoted Blacktown City Councillor Tony Bleasdale saying that “when it rains, the road is a death trap.”

Years ago, Blacktown Council has identified the Philippine Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC) in Schofields as a “high risk, flood zone area.”

On February 15, 2008, Mr. Ron Moore, then General Manager of Blacktown Council wrote that “any flood affecting the area would present a high hazard to any development on or occupants of the site. On this basis, it is extremely doubtful whether the proposed use could be approved by Council.”

On January 27, 2012, Senior Floodplain Officer Greg Hawks of Blacktown Council made a similar statement about the Philippine Community Centre. He added: “Council may consider minor alterations to the existing dwelling  or knock down and rebuild of a [new] residential dwelling on the highest part of the property only.”

Real Estate Agent LJ Hooker Riverstone has announced that the property at No. 80 Grange Avenue Schofields, the current site of MPC is now in the market. Asking price is $2,490,000.

Updated: 2015-05-07 — 17:45:00