DESPITE being flooded twice in two weeks, there are no immediate plans to make all 18 of the Fitzroy St pensioner units flood-proof.

Council’s insurance money will fund the repair of the units, which was estimated at $300,000, but they will not be moved or improved to avoid further inundation.

At yesterday’s community services committee meeting, director Tony Minuti confirmed residents of the brick units would be temporarily housed elsewhere at the end of this month while work begins on fixing their homes.

Quotations for restoration works closed last week and it is understood a local builder will carry out the works.

Work is expected to take between eight and 12 weeks.

Residents in the timber units will also be relocated, but for a shorter period of time.

Cr Mally McMurtrie asked what council was doing to ensure they wouldn’t be flooded again.

Mr Minuti said the insurance money would only bring them back to the condition they were in before the floods, but further down the track there were plans to consider lifting the timber units.

This would leave the brick housing still in danger.

Previously, the Daily News spoke to one resident of the units, who said he couldn’t face moving away

Water entered the 18 properties to a level between 55mm and 1.1 metres causing extensive damage to all joinery, floor coverings, paintwork, appliances and cabinets.

Council accepted a cash payout from the insurance company and will be overseeing the project.

A previous report estimated an average cost of work per unit of $16,000, which works out to $288,000.

“While all tenants were evacuated, most have been keen to return to their homes in spite of the state of them,” the report said.

“The tenants have shown great determination and have worked well with us to clean up the properties.”

The report said it had been a “traumatic experience” for all the residents of the units.

“Many lost all their possessions and many of them are quite fragile and keen to have some comfort and normality restored to their homes.”