By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Casey Council is proposing to install bollards to stop rampant hooning in parkland at the end of Prospect Hill Drive, Narre Warren.
However, it may not stop the past decade of lawlessness in the road’s turnbowl in front of the park, resident Michael Presta says.
On the night of 20 October, smoke from furious illegal burnouts in the cul-de-sac travelled at least 100 metres to fill Mr Presta’s home.
Mr Presta said Prospect Hill Drive should be partially closed to block access to not just the park but also the turnbowl – the scene of burnouts, drug deals, dumped and burnt-out stolen cars, and piles of shredded tyres.
On occasions, out-of-control vehicles have crashed through neighbours’ properties.
“You would think it would be the easiest, cheapest option to close off the road,” Mr Presta said.
“It would be cheaper than putting in about 20 bollards around the outside of the park.
“We’ll see what the council comes up with and work with them.”
Casey city design and construction manager Trevor Griffin said the council proposed bollards around the turnbowl area to prevent vehicles entering the reserve.
Cr Rosalie Crestani, after just being made aware of the issue, has pressed the council to look at solutions.
“Wouldn’t it be good if the perpetrators would just be considerate in the first place?
“’Do to others as you would want them to do to you’ and ‘love your neighbour’ messages come to mind.”
Her message to hoons was: “Come on, seriously, get your act together and leave the Prospect Hill Road residents in peace.
“Be community-minded because one day you may be living in a quiet court with a family or when you’re elderly and want some peace and quiet too.”
Inspector Alison Crombie, who oversees road policing in Melbourne’s South-East, is also keen to meet with residents in coming days.
Inspector Crombie said that police patrols and enforcement were likely to increase in the area.
Victoria’s anti-hoon laws include impounding and crushing cars of serious offenders, as well as ordering drivers to take VicRoads’ safe-driving program.
Narre Warren North MP and Roads Minister Luke Donnellan has written to Casey Council to improve the design of the road to “reduce this behaviour and respond to these residents”.
“Safety on our roads is our number one priority,” Mr Donnellan said.
“VicRoads continues to work closely with Victoria Police to ensure the enforcement of anti-hoon laws and reinforce safe driving behaviour behind the wheel.”
Police Minister Lisa Neville said local police were working hard to stamp out hoon behaviour, and encouraged the community to continue to report the dangerous practice.
“Police are investigating the reports of hoon driving in the area, and gathering intelligence to help reduce road trauma.
“We know that strong intelligence-based police response is critical, but it’s only one part of our response – enforcement alone is only part of the solution.”
“This is a whole of community issue; road safety is everyone’s responsibility.”
Ms Neville said police were working with Casey and VicRoads to identify possible changes to the road.
Opposition police spokesman Edward O’Donohue said a Coalition government would ensure police had resources for a “visible, proactive” local policing response for hoon drivers.
“Further, Victoria Police will be provided support and back up through a tougher sentencing regime to deter and prevent hoon behaviour.”
