North Lambton: Hoon hotspot for burnouts; community ‘fed up’ with danger on the streets
SEE THE SHOCKING VIDEO: Lambton has become a hotspot for hoons. A burnout post to social media last week has outraged local residents while others are calling for a venue for car enthusiasts.
Newcastle
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It’s become a hotspot for hoons. It is a well-known location for burnouts and the community are “fed up”.
The latest video has surfaced at the North Lambton intersection of Ulan and Verulam roads, showing hoons recklessly smoking up their car tyres and the passenger getting out to egg on the driver.
It’s outraged local residents who are demanding it be stopped before someone gets hurt.
“It’s unbelievably loud and frightening,” a Lambton resident commented on a Facebook post.
“Hoons are running our quiet streets with loud tyres and screeching tyres,” another user said.
But the passenger seen in the video — known as Dantech Landers on Facebook — has told The Newcastle News there needs to be available venues for car enthusiasts to go.
“If there was somewhere affordable for us to do such things, we wouldn’t have to do them in public places potentially placing the lives of civilians in danger,” he said.
“It could be done in a safe environment and actually provide employment which is what we need right now.”
There are plans for a multimillion-dollar motorsport facility on a former coal mine site in Lake Macquarie, but no current plans for anything similar in Newcastle.
The self-confessed fan of the Gold Coast’s Mexican Hoon Cartel — which is known for its dangerous and out-of-control stunts and burnouts usually posted to social media — wants to know what the local member is doing to support car enthusiasts?
In reply, Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery — who posted the pictures of the burnout to social media calling it “pathetic” — said she’s quite happy to hear from anyone about a safer alternative.
“Contact your local MP and we’ll start a conversation, but it needs to begin with writing to us,” Ms Hornery said.
“We have looked at this in the past; a safe place that is off-road where people can drive and ride.
“But we really need community support in order to make representations to the minister.”
However, the local MP does agree the activity is a scourge on local streets.
“On a regular basis we have people contact us all around the area about hoons,” she said.
“It’s dangerous and it puts people’s lives at risk, not only theirs, but others.
“The community are frustrated. It’s a real concern because it disturbs their livelihood, it’s a poor distraction.”
While no charges have been laid over the incident, Newcastle Police — who have been made aware of the North Lambton incident — are investigating, making clear, they won’t tolerate this type of behaviour.
“This kind of hoon behaviour is not welcome in our suburbs, it’s irresponsible and disruptive and can turn into a dangerous situation,” Newcastle City Police District Commander, Superintendent Brett Greentree said.
“Burnouts and other types of reckless behaviour behind the wheel puts the greater community at risk, drivers throw common sense out the window and it’s just stupid.
“We want to assure the community that we are closely following up all incidents of this nature, we want our suburban streets to be safe.”