Moreland Council considers VCAT action against developers of Duranta Dr, Gowanbrae

IT HAS been dubbed Melbourne’s worst street, but things might be looking up for people living in Duranta Drive, Gowanbrae, with the council looking to take legal action to get the rubbish cleaned up.

MELBOURNE’S worst designed street could be off to court after Moreland Council told residents it will be seeking legal counsel over parcels of empty land.

The blocks in Duranta Drive, Gowanbrae — not landscaped and strewn with rubbish — could become the subject of a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal case.

Residents spokesman Gerard Bates said he was emailed by the council on June 25 saying it was seeking legal advice to enforce landscaping.

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People living in Duranta Dr say they have had enough. Picture: Rob Leeson

The email from the council’s acting unit manager, Robert Shatford, reads the “council will proceed to obtain legal advice” on a number of complaints, particularly “against those person/s deemed responsible for the completion of landscaping of the common property”, which is believed to be the owners of the land when building permits were first lodged.

The four blocks of empty land can’t be built on due to water amenities.

Stairs in empty blocks on Duranta Dr have become a battleground for residents. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Exposed sewer pipes on empty land. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Two of the blocks contain stairs to nearby Marigold Cres, however one set runs directly into a fence.

While he said the council would “support the process” of working “towards a resolution”, Moreland Mayor John Kavanagh said “the responsibility to resolve these issues primarily sits with the current and former property owners, the developer, and private building surveyor”.

Mr Bates said homeowners would not take responsibility for the land until it was properly cleaned and landscaped.

Mr Shatford wrote he expected to update residents by late July “once council has received legal direction”.

Property dividers on dangerous verges are still yet to be installed. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Installation of dividers on a dangerous verge at the rear of properties is expected to go ahead in coming weeks after general manager for the builder Bahl Homes, Mani Soni, said: “I’m getting that done”. But Mr Soni said his company would not return for landscaping.

Mr Bates said it was “impossible to comment” on the update from the council.

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