When floodwaters swept through Redfern streets and poured into homes, the community was left grappling not only with damage but also with a lack of clear answers about why their neighbourhood continues to be at risk.
The night the water rose
In early September, Sydney was hit by one of its heaviest rainfalls in decades. Across the city, more than 850 calls for help were made to the State Emergency Service as flash flooding, fallen trees and power outages spread from the east to the west. But in Redfern, the scene took on an unusual character.
Video recorded by neighbours shows stormwater surging out of drains linked to the Eastern Distributor and racing down South Dowling, Mount and Charles streets. Objects weighing dozens of kilograms were lifted and carried along as if the streets had turned into a river. Locals said it looked like footage from a disaster overseas rather than an inner-city Sydney suburb.
For many families, it was not the first time. They say their homes were also inundated during a downpour in 2024, and this time they came prepared to film what was happening in order to prove their claims.
Community impact
The damage has left lasting scars. Some households were forced to leave while professional drying equipment ran day and night. Others returned to find cupboards lined with mud, warped timber and belongings beyond repair.
The financial strain is escalating. Several families report that repeated floods have already resulted in six-figure insurance claims. One household has logged four separate claims in the past 18 months. Now, they fear that insurers may either sharply raise premiums or withdraw flood coverage entirely.
It is not only money at stake. Neighbours describe the emotional weight of living with the constant threat of inundation every time a storm is forecast. Parents worry about children walking home. In contrast, others say they can no longer feel secure in their own houses during heavy rain.
Who is responsible?
The City of Sydney has acknowledged concerns about a “surcharging event” in the drainage system connected to the Eastern Distributor. Council engineers said the problem was raised in 2024 and some drainage pits had since been upgraded. They believe the latest flood suggests the issue persists and have indicated they will take the matter to the New South Wales government.
Transurban, the private operator running the toll road on behalf of Transport for NSW, has rejected responsibility. A company spokesperson stated that no water was pumped from the tunnel into local streets; instead, they pointed to the excessive stormwater runoff from Moore Park. They argued that a nearby retention basin, which Transurban does not maintain, had overflowed under the weight of the rainfall.
The back-and-forth has left Redfern residents frustrated. They say the video evidence points directly to the tollway infrastructure and that the flooding is not simply the result of unusual weather.
A wider storm
While Redfern bore the brunt in its low-lying streets, Sydney overall was hammered by the downpour. Reports cited more than 120 millimetres of rain fell in 24 hours at the city’s weather station, the wettest September day since 1879. The storm also brought damaging winds and forced closures across the metropolitan area.
Authorities described it as an exceptional event, but for Redfern residents, that explanation is not enough. They argue their suburb suffers from repeat flooding whenever the tollway drainage system is pushed to capacity, putting them at risk far more often than other parts of the city.
Talk of a class action is now circulating, with locals exploring legal options to force a solution. They say they cannot continue to shoulder the cost of repairs while agencies and a private company exchange responsibility.
For many, the call is simple: they want clear accountability and infrastructure that keeps their homes dry. Without it, each forecast of heavy rain brings back the same fear and uncertainty. Until that changes, Redfern remains a community living under the shadow.
Published 27-Sept-2025
