EGLINTON residents are continually affected by a problem they say could have been prevented decades ago by listening to their advice.
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When there are significant rain events, Eleven Mile Drive at Eglinton is subject to flooding to the point of closure, as was the case on Tuesday night.
Eleven Mile Drive resident Tony Gullifer said the problem began in the early 1990s when the Bathurst council made changes to the concrete causeway, which altered the watercourse.
"We begged them not to do it because it would just block up with sand, and that's exactly what it does," he said.
"The structure they've put there is completely blocked up with sand, so the water can't flow.
"It floods all these nice little creek flats and ruins them, however it blocks the road as well."
Mr Gullifer said the problem is exacerbated by a nearby stormwater pipe, which he says is in the wrong place.
"They've put the stormwater pipe on the high side of the culvert instead of the low side, so it's pushing the water straight into a blockage," he said.
"If it was on the bottom side, it'd wash a bit of the sand away, but there's no common sense at all."
He said the "easy fix" to the problem would be to relocate the stormwater pipe.
What seems to be holding up a solution is the debate over which body is responsible, NSW Fisheries or Bathurst Regional Council.
"It's a typical government one blames the other. All we want is just to fix the problem," Mr Gullifer said.
Councillor Alex Christian said the problem has been going on for far too long due to unnecessary bureaucracy.
"I will request council contact Paul Toole's office so we can find some resolution to this issue," he said.
"Council can't go ahead and rip out the reeds and silt causing the blockage without permission from the relevant bureaucratic bodies otherwise council risks huge fines.
"This needs swift action as it's been an issue for years without anyone owning the issue and taking responsibility."
Council's manager of works Simon Armitage did not comment on who is responsible for resolving the problem, but said future works planned for the site include upgrading the culverts.
He also said the inlets and outlets were cleaned late last year.
