ANGRY Dora Creek residents describe a recent flood study of the area as a cop-out, saying it proposes few solutions.
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They are calling for an independent review of the Lake Macquarie City Council study.
Although various flood risk management strategies are mentioned in the study, most are dismissed.
Flood mitigation dams, retarding basins and dredging were all considered to have a "low benefit-to-cost ratio".
The study suggests a levee parallel to Doree Place "should only be considered if it can be undertaken for minimal cost".
The study identifies local stormwater flooding as a significant issue but that "preliminary investigation indicates that there is no viable economic solution due to the low relief of the area".
"One approach would be to ... provide a newsletter suggesting how residents could minimise the impacts of nuisance flooding themselves."
Dora Creek Progress Association (DCPA) is unhappy with the way the study was handled.
The group is calling for an independent review of the study because they believe there are numerous errors in the report.
DCPA president Mark Mannile said the study is a cop-out and offers no real solutions.
"Council saying it doesn't have enough money is not acceptable," he said.
While there is no cheap solution, longtime Dora Creek resident Hubert Engel said solving the area's flooding issue now will cost almost nothing compared to what it will cost in the future.
"If it is done now it doesn't cost anything - the costs are peanuts. If it's done in 20 years' time, to fix up the mistakes from today, the cost will be prohibitive," he said.
Along with an independent review of the study, the DCPA wants the cleaning and maintenance of drains, culverts and floodways to be a council priority.
They also want to be given more time to be able to review the lengthy document.
A council spokesperson said officers will review public submissions received about the study.
"Once feedback has been collated, a report which will include any appropriate amendments to the flood risk management options is expected to be presented to councillors next year," they said.
Mr Mannile said the way a community information session on the study was presented was "arrogant".
He said several people walked out of the session at Dora Creek Community Hall when the authors of the study refused to go into specific details in the report claiming it would "confuse" people.
Mr Mannile wants someone to explain to the community, in layman's terms, what the study means.
