Bayfair residents are demanding Tauranga City Council take action to upgrade drainage systems to stop the flash flooding plaguing the neighbourhood for the last eight years.

Carysfort Street resident Steve Robinson says council has been sidestepping flood and drainage remedies since the May 2005 floods, instead providing small 'stop gaps” that increase flood damage.

Steve Robinson outside his Carysfort address.

Steve's home suffered flood damage in both last month's heavy rain and the May 2005 floods due to what he says is an insufficient stormwater system.

He says the neighbourhood including Carysfort Street, Leander Street and Concord Avenue, annually suffers flooding to a metre deep. When the last big floods hit in May 2005, the area was left waterlogged because storm water systems were insufficient.

Steve understands some of the stormwater pipes in Bayfair are not big enough to handle the rainwater hitting the streets each year, but is demanding action.

He says there is major concern for the welfare of elderly, families and other residents living in the area when flash flooding occurs.

Following the 2005 floods council installed concrete humps in front of resident's driveways to contain the excess water, but this leaves the driveways at a lower angle than the road making the flooding worse, says Steve.

'I agreed to that at the time because we needed some sort of resolve. We were promised other works would take place if that didn't fix it.

'We pay over $2000 in rates and what does that get us?”

Flooding in Craysfort Street during heavy rain last month.

Steve has since sent a report outlining his concerns along with a 130 signature petition, from residents affected directly and indirectly, asking for an overhaul of the stormwater drainage system in the neighbourhood.

He says council will happily take money for subdivision and building permits but are not putting the money back into essential infrastructure upgrades like storm water drainage.

'Everyone has had enough. I don't care if they think a giant container in the middle of the road will contain the water or something. It needs to be fixed.”

Tauranga City Council drainage services manager Graeme Dohnt says the issue is not just limited to the Bayfair area. He says upgrades and restructuring are dependent on funding allocated through council's annual plan.

Each year the drainage services sector of council is allocated $5.53million. The current year's funds are set aside to develop Mount Maunganui's industrial area in next four years.

Although there has been no more work done on the Bayfair area since the 2005 instalments it is essential not to drop everything and focus on the one area, says Graeme.

'Overall there has been a lot of interest following the heavy rain.”

Graeme could not comment on what future action will be taken as a response to Steve's concerns as they are subject to an issues and option paper to be deliberated in council on June 5. The deliberations are part of the 2013/14 annual plan.

'It's not an easy fix in that area and will need some serious consideration into it.”

Bayfair residents Malcolm May and Steve Robinson are taking a petition to council.