Mira Mar family calls on Water Minister to take responsibility for devastating landslip as homes crumble

An Albany family told to abandon their home in the path of a slow-moving landslide have launched a petition calling on Water Minister Dave Kelly to take responsibility for the damage as they face the prospect of walking away with nothing. Jane and David Kingston are fighting a losing battle to save their home on Anzac Road in Mira Mar as a landslip sends earth downhill from Sleeman Avenue, where three collapsing houses have been condemned. One Anzac Road resident made the tough decision to move out last month, but the remaining residents of two homes have chosen to stay and defend their properties despite an “emergency building order” from the City of Albany because of the “imminent and high risk” caused by the “unstable slope situated above the building”. Not complying with the order could lead to a $50,000 fine under the Building Act. In October the State Government, the City of Albany and the Great Southern Development Commission pledged to fund an independent geotechnical report into the landslip to determine what remediation works could be done safely. The cause of the landslip remains in dispute, but a history of ground movement in the area, heavy winter rainfall, and a burst water main on July 30 have all been cited as possible factors. Mrs Kingston and her neighbour Alan Smith have been digging away at earth creeping towards the foundations of their homes nearly every morning. But the ground movement has already cracked concrete foundations, walls and downpipes, and caused the homes to be cut off from the gas main. The 71-year-old grandmother said she feared if she abandoned her home — which she only moved into in July — it would be left to ruin. “There are five geotechnical reports to date. No pathway forward has really been offered to us in any way — no short-term or long-term plan,” she said. “If it is a landslide we get nothing because you can’t insure for a landslide in Australia. “I’m totally disappointed — disgusted is probably the word — that they can actually walk away from this. “Get off your butt and help us. Admit liability and help us.” Mrs Kingston’s son Anthony has started a Save Albany Homes Facebook page and an online petition calling on Mr Kelly and the Water Corporation to “take responsibility for the burst water pipe” which they believe caused the landslip. The petition also calls for compensation for the residents of Sleeman Avenue and help for those on Anzac Road trying to protect their homes. The petition has gained more than 750 signatures since it went live on Monday. “Two government bodies are washing their hands of it and you are stuck here fighting for your property by yourself in a house you had bought in good faith with all documents in order, approved by the council,” Mr Kingston said. “They have basically walked away leaving elderly people to fight and dig out the things by themselves.” Mr Kingston said his parents’ home was not covered by insurance as most home insurance policies considered naturally occurring landslip a natural disaster. “The families in the condemned houses in Sleeman Avenue are currently walking away with virtually nothing,” he said. “Many families have their life savings in their houses. “The same result is likely for the families in Anzac Road as no help is currently being offered.” But a spokesman for Mr Kelly said the Water Corporation had advised it was not responsible for the land slippage. “Noticeable cracks in the road surface have been evident for many years, which are a result of ground movement in the area dating back at least as far as 2013,” the spokesman said. “This ground movement appears to have been exacerbated by the significantly higher-than-average rainfall in the months prior to the water main burst. “Water Corporation is of the view that ground movement, already under way in the sodden earth surrounding the pipe, caused the breakage to the water main on 30 July 2021. “The main was repaired the same morning. “Water Corporation is continuing to engage with affected residents and the City of Albany, and has provided assistance to support dewatering efforts.” A Water Corporation spokeswoman said an investigation into the pipe’s condition showed no pre-existing issues which could have made it susceptible to failure before the landslip. “Based on available evidence, it is Water Corporation’s view that record rainfall in an area at risk of ground movement caused land slippage,” she said. “The area around Sleeman Avenue has a documented history of ground movement. “Water Corporation was recently made aware of a 2013 report commissioned by the City of Albany which recommended a number of actions to mitigate the risk of further movement, particularly after periods of prolonged heavy rainfall. “This same 2013 report noted the risk of accelerated ground movement caused by stormwater infiltration through large cracks which have been evident in the road surface for many years and were likely caused by past ground movement.” City of Albany chief executive Andrew Sharpe said the incident was “extremely complex”, with no “straightforward or immediate solution”. “We’re working closely with all agencies involved to get the information we need to inform and determine a solution as soon as possible,” he said. “This solution will require the co-operation and involvement of all stakeholders, including the private landowners. “We really feel for all the residents affected by the slippage and we’ve been committed to supporting them while also following the advice we’ve received from geotechnical experts and hazard management agencies.”