When Rosemary Inglis spotted that a neighbour had built a temporary flood barrier along their property line she didn’t see any issues.
However, when rain started to fall she noticed that the structure was pushing the water back, causing a block of land next to it to be submerged.
The block in question had actually been gifted to Benalla Rural City Council by Ms Inglis, who fears it will now be a hazard due to the 400-year-old gum trees, which an arborist have told her are in danger of dying due to being so regularly submerged.
She also has concerns about how the flooded area is affecting the endangered squirrel gliders that call the area home.
The squirrel glider typically lives in dry areas and does not adapt well to living on or near bodies of water.
“The wall has been up for about 18 months,” Ms Inglis said.
“The neighbour is not going to let the water get on to his property and believes he is within his rights to do what he needs to do to protect it.
“So the water comes into my billabong, whereas it used to go through his land and out on to the road.
“So now it’s welling up and an area is often under water.
“This has created an issue with the squirrel gliders and the trees on that bit of land.”
Ms Inglis said she would like to see the wall removed to let the water take its natural course.
“We installed a weir to slow the water, but the whole weir is permanently under water now, so is having no effect.
“Some trees are not getting any water, some are always underwater, and neither is good for their health.
“Council have told me the wall, or part of the wall, has to come down.
“The problem is that they are not doing anything quickly enough and now the squirrel gliders and the trees are dying.
“I’ve given council this four acres, but they’re letting it deteriorate.”
Ms Inglis is hoping the situation can be rectified before it is too late to save the trees and wildlife.
A Benalla Rural City Council spokesperson said council was aware of a planning matter that was under investigation; however, it was unable to comment further at this time.