In July heavy rain led to flash flooding in the area, destroying many homes in the process.
The DRD Minister has written to Down District Council addressing local fears, but Councillor Clarke has said the Minister must now go further and take the necessary steps to prevent future flooding problems
Councillor Patrick Clarke said: “I am not satisfied with the response Down District Council has received from the Minister regarding the flooding problems in Mourneview Road.
“While I welcome his words of concern for residents affected in July, it simply doesn’t resolve the matter. Many in the area are now living with the constant fear that the next bout of heavy rain will result in more devastating flooding.
“As the Minister has indicated, a private surface water drainage system is in operation on Mourneview Road which has not been adopted by NI Water. However simply saying that NI Water is unable to carry out any work to this system is letting the residents down.
“I would call for the Minister to allocate the adequate funding and resources to resolve the matter. I would also urge him to work closely with NI Water, in order to identify who owns the land holding the drainage system and to move forward in maintaining it.
“Flood alleviation in Newcastle must be a top priority for the Department and the Minister must give his assurances that everything possible will be done to reduce the flooding threat in the future.”