STORY by DAVID BELL
COUNCIL workers allegedly cutting trees just hours before the big March 22 storm were responsible for the leaves and branches which clogged the drains and flooded her home, North Perth resident Jagodah Nikoloski claims.
Vincent CEO John Giorgi says “neither the Town nor the Town’s contractors undertook any pruning works in Norfolk Street on the morning of 22 March,” but Ms Nikoloski says she saw workers on site between 11am and 1pm.
“When I saw the waters coming in front of my garage, in front of my house, I ran to the drainage and the drainage was full of the rubbish, the leaves from cutting the trees,” she says.
Neighbour Laila Hinsman provided the Voice with photos of the flooded street and Ms Nikoloski trying to clear the drain.
Ms Nikoloski’s house, which is in a dip in the street served by only the one drain, was filled with ankle-deep water ruining the carpet and much of her furniture. Her and husband Tonasko are still suffering from mould and Ms Nikoloski says they’re struggling financially to get everything replaced.
Now she’s lodged an insurance claim with the Council but the Town’s insurers refuse to admit the drain failed.
“There is no factual evidence presented to support your assumption that the flooding of your property was caused by an alleged deficiency in the drainage system (which we deny),” the Local Government Insurance Service wrote to Ms Nikoloski.
Ms Nikoloski, a Macedonian immigrant who’s lived in the area more than 15 years, says she’ll seek legal advice to continue the struggle.
“Sometimes I tell myself I’ll give up, sometimes I tell myself I won’t give up. I can’t fight by myself with the Town of Vincent, for me it is difficult, I don’t have much proper English.”
Mr Giorgi said it wasn’t appropriate for the Town to publicly comment any further because it might prejudice the outcome of the insurance claim.
