Residents at Geelong West commission housing on Lawton Ave ‘fed up’ with chaos
A group of residents living at a notorious Geelong West housing block claim people are stealing from charity bins and trashing property.
Geelong
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A group of residents living at a notorious public housing block in Geelong West claim people are stealing from charity bins and trashing property, but complaints over several years have failed to deliver safer living conditions.
It is understood concerns raised with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), police and local MPs have failed to put a stop to the “constant terror” and unease in and around the Lawton Ave units.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said he had witnessed thefts from rubbish and clothing bins and authorities appeared “powerless” to help alarmed locals.
“The units at the back are an absolute trash-pile,” he said.
“People here, some of whom are not tenants, are raiding the charity bins to see what they likely can make a buck out of.”
Another Lawton Ave tenant, who does not live at the housing block, alleged his bins were often the target of “miscreants”.
“They interfere with the other good people’s quiet enjoyment,” he said.
The man has raised concerns with Geelong MP Christine Couzens, who was also contacted by residents in 2022 over the same units.
At the time, Dean Cage said he and his neighbours felt like “prisoners in their own homes” with others in the complex – and their visitors – constantly causing chaos.
“Peace is something that we feel was taken from us a long time ago,” Mr Cage said.
Most residents of the block are elderly or living with a disability.
A state government spokesman said DFFH took the concerns and safety matters in relation to the unit block “extremely seriously” and would not tolerate crime in housing it managed.
It said it was working with police to address the problems.
“We have made upgrades to outdoor lighting at Lawton Ave to improve safety and security for renters,” the spokesman said.
“We encourage renters to report any criminal matters to Victoria Police.”
Police are investigating some of the complaints.
Despite the living conditions, there are currently no outstanding maintenance requests at the complex.
Ms Couzens did not respond to a request for comment on resident concerns at the units.
mark.murray@news.com.au
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Originally published as Residents at Geelong West commission housing on Lawton Ave ‘fed up’ with chaos