Cramped streets put squeeze on emergency services in Keysborough

NARROW, overcrowded streets are causing havoc in new housing estates in Melbourne’s southeast, making it tough for emergency services to get through.

Narrow streets, crowded parking

NARROW, overcrowded streets are causing havoc in new housing estates in Keysborough.

Firefighters told Leader the skinny streets were a major safety concern, delaying response times and putting lives at risk.

Dandenong Fire Brigade operations officer Paul Carrigg said when cars were parked on both sides of narrow residential streets, fire trucks could not get through.

“If we can’t get an appliance down a road for a house fire in the middle of the night, clearly that could pose some life risks,” he said.

Mr Carrigg said it was important residents and emergency services dealt with the issue as a group.

“We need to work together so we can provide a safe environment (for the residents).”

Meanwhile, residents say space is so tight they struggle to drive down their own street, let alone find a car space. But, when they park on the nature strip, council officers warn them they will be fined.

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Greater Dandenong councillor Matthew Kirwan said many people had contacted him out of frustration with the situation.

“This is a growing issue with new estates because they have narrower streets compared to an established area,” he said.

“There are a lot of double-income people and it is also an area with lots of families and young children.

“Parking is one concern of the residents, but there are also concerns about speeding.”

Cr Kirwan said the problem was compounded by the lack of public transport in the area, forcing people on to the roads. As children grew up and began to drive, more and more cars would pour into the estates, making matters worse.

Clarendon Drive resident Amy Dunne said there was simply not enough room to drive down her street.

“No one is able to get down because the street is just so narrow,” she said. “On Westwood Blvd they have built-in spaces, which I know is not normal for a residential area, but I have never had a parking issue before.”

Neighbour Peter Sung said parking congestion meant drivers could not see oncoming vehicles, and did not leave enough room for two cars to pass.

Somerfield estate developer Intrapac Projects said streets were built to council standard widths, designed to keep them as “low-speed environments to ensure pedestrian safety”.

Responding to queries about the lack of public transport, chief operating officer Max Shifman said two routes through Somerfield had been planned and bus stops had already been built.

“It’s up to the local bus operators to actually provide the services to residents,” he said.

Intrapac and Greater Dandenong Council have lobbied for the start of bus services through the Keysborough area given the rapid rate of population growth.

“The Public Transport Authority is well aware of the issue,” Mr Shifman said.

Council planning director Jody Bosman said parking on the nature strip was prohibited under state legislation and it was the responsibility of the State Government to review parking laws, not local government.

The council issued 27,523 parking infringements in 2013-14, with 517 for nature strip infringements, along with 351 official warnings.