Moreland laneways: Residents fed up with unkempt and dangerous lanes
They are covered in syringes; they damage cars; and they are home to rats and snakes. They are the dodgy and dangerous laneways of Moreland. See the pictures.
North West
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Moreland is plagued with dangerous laneways covered in syringes, overgrown grass and surfaces rough enough to cause damage to cars.
Residents living next to one laneway in Pascoe Vale South want something done about the hazardous area and have called on Moreland City Council to clean it up, and others, across the city.
Pascoe Vale South resident Garry West said a laneway behind Ellenvale Ave had been allowed to deteriorate.
“This is our only driveway but it has a rough surface which is dangerous to use, particularly after heavy rain, and has the potential to cause damage to vehicles and poses a threat to the safety of users,” Mr West said.
“It becomes overgrown unless mowed and cleared, a responsibility which falls mostly on local residents, and is littered by rubbish including syringes, which can puncture tyres and potentially the skin of people using the lane to walk to and from a busy park nearby.
“This also creates a fertile environment for vermin such as snakes, which have been seen and pose a risk to the users, including children, who regularly walk up and down.”
Mr West said after heavy falls of rain mud flows from the laneway and into properties, leaving residents to clean up the mess.
He signed a petition earlier this year which called for the laneway to be sealed but he said it was rejected by the council, which expected residents to pay for 75 per cent of the cost which he estimated was more than $75,000.
“Sealing the laneway at council’s cost would address our concerns but we believe at the very least Moreland should maintain it more effectively and more often,” he said.
“But this is a broader issue because I understand there are many similar unfinished or unmade laneways, as they are called, which are an eyesore and frankly a plague on council and the City of Moreland.”
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Mr West said it would be a serious issue with council elections coming up.
“I urge council and those standing for public office in this area to consider it seriously as we head towards the local government elections,” he said.
“On behalf of the many people who feel strongly about this issue I call on candidates to publicly state where they stand on abandoned laneways so Moreland ratepayers and other voters can make an informed decision.”
Moreland City Council said because it was the caretaker period — the 32-day period leading up to council elections — it couldn’t comment on the matter.