By CASEY NEILL
AN unlit path behind Narre Warren Bowls Club is a danger to pedestrians, members say.
But City of Casey says other reserves have a greater need for lighting than the walkway in Max Pawsey Reserve, between Magid Drive and Fountain Drive.
Bowls club member John Uren said the area was “very dark” at night.
“I guess we’re a bit of a benefit to the locals walking in the area when our members are playing bowls, in the summer time particularly,” he said.
“We’ve got very strong lighting that flows out across the path.”
But that’s only a couple of nights a week.
“It’s in complete darkness the rest of the time,” Mr Uren said.
“The lights on the road are not strong enough to cover the full distance of the walking track,” he said.
Club president Kerry Davis said lighting for the path was “paramount” and the current situation was “quite dangerous”.
He also called for a pedestrian crossing to keep the club’s elderly members safe.
“They do go across the road to Fountain Gate,” he said.
“Cars whip around there.
“It’s almost waiting for an accident to happen.”
Acting City of Casey transport manager Michael Bayley said the council had an extensive pedestrian and shared path network across the municipality.
“Council has competing priorities for lighting of public spaces,” he said.
“Max Pawsey Reserve has been identified a lower priority than some busier parks and reserves across the municipality,” he said.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan said installing solar-powered lights would reduce operating costs.
“By installing solar-powered LED lights, Casey could save around 70 per cent of the maintenance cost,” he said.
“Lights along this path would not only increase accessibility at night but make residents feel safer in their own community.
“Safe street lighting on paths is a basic need for local residents, especially the elderly at night.”
