Old cars spark review

By Lia Bichel
A DEBATE on the number of derelict cars allowed on Casey properties has sparked a review of all the council’s local law.
Last month, City of Casey mayor Sam Aziz moved a motion for council officers to investigate whether to amend local laws to only allow one unregistered and derelict vehicle on properties under 1000sqm instead of two vehicles.
On Tuesday night, councillors agreed to have officers review Local Law 2/2010 and recommend the appropriate amendments, including prohibiting the keep-ing of more than one derelict unregist-ered vehicle on private property such that it is not visible from the roadway.
Cr Kevin Bradford said he was concerned about the time and effort it would take to do another review, given that the last review two years ago, took about a year to complete.
“To do it all over again because of councillor’s interest in one point of it just seems like a waste of time,” he said.
Cr Bradford also asked Cr Aziz to respond to allegations in a Herald Sun article on Tuesday which claimed Cr Aziz instigated the derelict car review due to a dispute between him and his neighbour who had a “clapped-out car. The difficulty is in having raised this policy, I have a neighbour who has taken this personally,” Cr Aziz said.
He said the problem with derelict cars was a global issue and he just happened to have a person who lived next to him with a derelict car on his property, like many other Casey residents.
City of Casey manager community safety Caroline Bell said the council was considering a future review of the local law, but it had not yet been amended as reported in some media this week
“The protection of visual amenity and community safety is a major priority for the City of Casey,” Ms Bell said.
“When a review is undertaken any amendments will be considered at a future meeting of the council.
“As one of the fastest growing municipalities, this issue is of concern for residents living in Casey’s newest estates, which include smaller sized blocks.
“Council has a responsibility to ensure that the amenity and safety of local neighbourhoods is protected for all residents.”