Fountain of hoons

By Lia Bichel
SCARED and frustrated, Narre Warren residents say hooning has become a daily problem in Fountain Drive and Sweet Gum streets.
Fountain Drive resident Sue, who asked not to use her last name, said a car lost control and ploughed through her fence last week.
She said it was the third time in two years that a car lost control and ended up on a front yard on the residential street.
“My husband Graeme and I were in bed asleep when the accident happened. We heard a loud bang when the car hit the neighbour’s rubbish bin then we heard a second bang when it hit our second fence,” Sue said.
“Thankfully, no-one got hurt- that’s the main thing. You can always get a new car but can’t get a new body.”
Neighbour Eileen Harwood said a car lost control andflipped onto her front lawn a year ago. She said she now fears for her life every day.
“A year ago I had a car flip on my front lawn. Another accident happened three years ago, another one five years ago,” she said.
“I don’t watch television in my lounge room anymore. I watch it in my bedroom. One day a car will end up in my lounge.”
Ms Harwood said she was scared that one day she would get hit by a car while crossing the road.
“I have a walking stick and cars come down the road and aim for you. I can’t hurry. I’d never make it,” she said.
Sue said she hoped the council would implement traffic controls soon to combat the problem and make the streets safer for surrounding residents.
“People hoon along Fountain Drive every day, during the day and night. It’s not very good,” she said.
“The odd idiot sits at the corner doing burnouts and there’s thick black smoke. Everyone is frustrated. There are many kids who run out on the streets- it only takes one idiot to make one mistake one day and it will be too late.”
Casey councillor Sam Aziz urged the council at last week’s meeting to investigate the matter.
“The speed limit is fine, but there is a lot of hooning activity and we need calming devices,” he said.
“The amount of complaints we receive about hooning in Casey is concerning. Maybe, it is time for the council to have chat with police to see what action can be jointly taken.”
City of Casey manager Transport Paul Hamilton said council will be investigating the introduction of traffic calming devices around the vicinity of Fountain Drive and Sweet Gum Avenue, and will report possible options to the council by 21 December.
“Council officers have previously assessed Fountain Drive under the Local Traffic Management Strategy and following the above resolution, will re-assess the matter and prepare a council report,” he said.