New path links estates

By Rebecca Fraser
A HALLAM milk bar owner has won a five-year battle to bring two neighbouring suburbs closer together.
Joe Khoury has been calling for a path to be built linking Buckeye Drive between Hinrichsen Drive and Springfield Drive since 2001.
The move would create a pathway between two housing estates in Hallam and Narre Warren. Residents have previously been unable to reach each other by foot.
Last Friday, after years of frustration and waiting, Casey Council finished the path and brought residents on both sides of the Troups Creek West Branch closer together.
Mr Khoury said Buckeye Drive had been a dead end at either side before the connecting walking and bike track was built.
The small business owner said this had caused people from the two estates to lose touch with each other and had stifled a strong sense of community in the area.
Last year, a family playground and a basketball half-court were built at parkland opposite his shop on Buckeye and Hinrichsen Drive.
Mr Khoury said the new path would help residents from both sides of the creek access the park on foot as well as being able to walk to the Hallam Railway Station and to visit friends in the neighbouring estates.
He said the missing path had also hindered the growth of his business, Joe’s Mini Mart, which he has since passed on to his daughter Sue and her husband Ziad to operate.
Mr Khoury said his business had struggled to attract customers since opening its doors in 2000 and he hoped the new path would help bring in more customers.
“I opened the milk bar to service both estates and we have been waiting all this time for this path.
“Now it has finally happened and this will help people living in both estates to visit one another, get to the shops and trains.
“It is a good move and I hope it will be better for business,” he said.
Casey councillor Wayne Smith said he was also glad the path had been built and hoped it would boost local business and create a stronger sense of community.
“There has always been controversy over whether there should have been a road or a path there.
“Before this path was built it was a very well worn and muddy path that was unsafe for children and those walking along.This will help better link the community and people will now be able to walk through to the milk bar instead of jumping in the car to go and get something,” he said.