Following the April superstorm, Mr Hartnett is still unable to live in his house, which has had to be stripped down to shell on the inside due to water damage.

While he said he understands the April flood was a freak occurrence and couldn’t be helped, the issue he has is that it only takes a small amount of rain for his property to flood and cause structural damage to his house.

“I still suffer from the small events,” he said.

“We don’t need to have extensive rain to have the house flooded underneath.

“The house is slowly sinking.”

Repair of his building has been delayed as his insurance company has told him works cannot take place while the ground underneath the house is wet, which happens every time it rains.

He said his main concern is that Cessnock City Council will just do more flood studies, rather than fix the problem he continues to face.

“It’s just inaction, that’s the bit that’s really driving me insane,” he said.

“There’s nothing to alleviate the issue.”

A council spokesperson said the Cessnock City Flood Risk Management Study is being finalised by council’s flood consultants after recent community workshops, and will be presented to council by November 30.

The area of South Cessnock, as outcomes of the final stages of the study, have been listed in council’s Four Year Rolling Drainage Capital Works Program 2016-2019 for more localised drainage investigation.

Hunter Water owns and maintains the stormwater drains in Cessnock, and has no immediate plans to augment the Oliver Street drain.

While Mr Hartnett has only lived in the house for nearly two years, he said council should have done something about the ongoing problem already.

“Council have clearly known about this for quite some time,” he said.

“I challenge them to show me what’s been done to actually make a difference.

“I’d just like council to show a bit of ticker.”

The problem is causing quite a burden to Mr Hartnett, who bought the house to remain close to his children, but has now been forced to stay with friends in Singleton.

“It’s not a good feeling,” he said.

He also expects his insurance premiums to at least triple, and is currently still paying for water and land rates for a house he isn’t even living in.

“I’m paying rates and I haven’t used a bin in six months,” he said.

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How are you faring since the April superstorm? Share your story; email sage.swinton@fairfaxmedia.com.au.