Dandenong’s award-winning Meridian estate slammed for flooding, lack of parking and footpaths

AN AWARD-WINNING government-designed estate in Melbourne’s southeast has come under fire from residents for its narrow streets, no footpaths, flooding and lack of parking.

Meridian estate in Dandenong South has been slammed by residents for its poor design, with overflowing gutters, narrow streets and lack of parking among the issues. Pictures: Valeriu Campan

AN AWARD-WINNING government-designed Dandenong estate has been slammed by residents for its narrow streets, no footpaths, lack of parking and flooding.

Meridian Estate, off Kirkham Rd, was designed as a sustainable neighbourhood with “pedestrian-friendly streetscapes”, recycled water and open swale drains, where water is absorbed into the soil instead of an underground water system.

But on narrow roads with limited on-street car parking, drivers have been forced to park on nature strips, damaging the drains and resulting in flooding.

With limited bus services, and the train station located more than 1.8km away, the estate’s 600 residents have no choice but to rely on vehicles.

Ashrad Khan says the lack of footpaths has made him fear for the safety of his children.

Arshad Khan said the lack of footpaths made him fear for his children’s safety.

“The roads are too narrow. It’s supposed to be pedestrian-friendly. The whole of Melbourne has footpaths, but there never will be here,” Mr Khan said.

Roshan Edirisinghe said the streets were really congested in the morning and evening peaks.

A Rodina Terrace resident, who did not want to be named, said the puddles made it difficult to park and the lack of footpaths meant cars and people were forced to share the roads.

“There’s no room for pedestrians. It’s just cars and people walking together,” he said.

A flooded nature strip in Meridian Estate.

Developed by Places Victoria and Melbourne Water, responsibility for maintenance of the estate was handed over to Greater Dandenong council in 2013.

Since then, the council has forked out $35,000 in an attempt to fix drainage problems.

Greater Dandenong engineering services director Julie Reid said house construction and people damaging the nature strips by parking illegally had impacted the drains’ performance.

She said Place Victoria also contributed $35,000 to the rehabilitation work, and the council would continue to monitor the drains.

She said due to how the estate was developed, it was “unlikely” that any “substantial increases to parking spaces” would be possible.

Cars forced to park on nature strips have damaged drainage, which led to flooding.

Residents say they don’t think ratepayers’ money should be used to fix the original developers’ mistakes.

“If builders make mistakes, they have to rectify it, but if developers make mistakes, it is council footing the bill,” homeowner Arshad Khan said.

Places Victoria spokeswoman Julia Angove said development of the estate was made following consultation with Greater Dandenong council.

“The vision for this project was to deliver a family-friendly estate and to encourage reduced use of cars,” she said.

“Places Victoria delivered Meridian Estate in line with planning requirements and guidelines until the council became the responsible authority.”