By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A new light will be shone on Hampton Park’s central community precinct as part of a federal safety initiative.
Under the Safer Streets project, new lights, footpaths and a basketball half-court will be built at the area’s community house, kindergarten and Arthur Wren Hall.
Some of the heavily vegetated area and a rotunda will be cleared and re-landscaped to improve sightlines and perceived community safety.
The works were launched at a free community barbecue at the site on 21 October.
Casey councillor Wayne Smith said the project would help deter “undesirables” lingering at the rotunda and in bush hiding-spots.
Cr Smith was still concerned at the “derelict”, partly abandoned section of the shopping centre next door – it had become a hangout for homeless people and for “things that shouldn’t be happening there”.
Drivers also hit danger while navigating through the disjointed parts of the shopping centre, he said.
“The council has been working for many years with the various owners (of the shopping centre).
“We haven’t been able to get the shopping centre on board as much as we would like but we can do something about the part that the council owns.”
