SPECIAL REPORT
A STINK is brewing at Port MacDonnell over foul-smelling Hammond’s Drain, which residents have described as a “disgusting” eyesore and a blight on the township.
The lack of water flow in the man-made drain is causing a putrid smell to waft across the tourist and fishing town, which is triggering a growing community backlash.
The drain’s outlet into MacDonnell Bay – located between the jetty and the Woolwash – is managed by the South Eastern Water Conservation Drainage Board.
The drain is clogged with fermented sludge, rubbish, seaweed matter and debris with little water flow into the ocean.
While residents have been complaining about the big stink for years, little has been done in recent times to remediate the drain and fix the drifting odour.
Following enquiries by The Border Watch last week, the drainage board says it has now engaged a contractor “this week” to remove seaweed biomass material from the outlet into MacDonnell Bay.
Port MacDonnell resident and Grant district deputy mayor Gill Clayfield says residents are reaching breaking point over the disgusting smell caused by the ineffective drain outlet.
Ms Clayfield – who is not speaking on behalf of council – said the town’s tourism sector was being tarnished by the odour drifting from the drain and a solution must be brokered.
“The drain is stinking out the town – no one is happy about it. Whatever way the wind is blowing there is a foul and gross smell,” she said.
“If you ask people in Mount Gambier what they think of Port MacDonnell, most people would say Port Mac smells.”
She warned the smell was impacting on Port MacDonnell’s tourist reputation given there were now dozens of holiday houses at the seaside town.
Ms Clayfield said the biggest problem with the outlet was the cement lip and the fact little water flowed out to sea.
“I believe for the gate to operate the water has to be higher than the lip, but there is little water in it.”
She said this was in stark comparison with Cress Creek, located near the Woolwash, which had clear water and consistent water flow out to sea.
“Cress Creek is the next drain along and I cannot understand why Hammond’s Drain cannot operate the same way – it is crystal clear.”
She said community consultation during the development of the Port MacDonnell master plan highlighted Hammond’s Drain as a major concern among residents.
“The town is not happy about it and we need to find solutions to the problem,” Ms Clayfield said.
While the drainage board might not want to remove the drain due to climate change and rising sea levels, she warned it needed “to do something”.
According to a statement yesterday by the drainage board, Hammond’s Drain was constructed in the 1900s to enable development of the Port MacDonnell township and to improve farming land north of the township.
“The South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Board (the board) is responsible for the area outside the Port MacDonnell township, as well as the outlet into MacDonnell Bay,” the statement said.
Within the Port MacDonnell township, the concreted section of the drain between Pascoe Road to Sea Parade at the water regulator is the responsibility of Grant District Council.
“Storm surges and variable sea conditions push seaweed into the rock outfall,” according to the board.
“During the summer season, particularly after extreme and variable weather conditions, the seaweed biomass when partly exposed to air starts to breakdown and this can cause unpleasant (sulphide) odours.
“As the board has responsibility for the outlet into MacDonnell Bay, a contractor has been arranged to remove the seaweed biomass material and it is expected works will be completed this week.”
