By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Bollards have been installed at hoon-plagued parkland in Narre Warren – but residents say the barriers are in the wrong place.
After a residents’ petition, Casey Council has added bollard and rail fencing to stop hoons tearing up the park and mini-sports field at the end of Prospect Hill Road, Narre Warren.
David Richardson, the council’s city presentation manager, said the council brought forward works to renew the reserve’s fencing due to “recent issues highlighted in the area”.
“The bollard and rail fencing installed is a commonly used fencing standard for reserves, to assist in reducing the risk of vehicles accessing and damaging the reserves, while allowing the area to still be open for the community to use.”
Mr Richardson said there was no need to consult with residents because the council had already been planning to replace the reserve’s old fencing.
“Consultation is not undertaken for works of this nature, as the bollards are put in place to place to protect council assets and parks/reserves.”
He did not comment on whether the council would follow-up on the residents’ desire to close off the adjoining turnbowl, not just the park.
Resident Michael Presta says he and his neighbours’ request to close off part of Prospect Hill Road would require fewer bollards and less cost.
It would also be a more effective deterrent against 10 years of regular hooning, he says.
The council’s park fences will do nothing to stop the loud, smoky burnouts, drug deals, romps in cars, incinerated stolen vehicles and shredded tyres in the turnbowl, he says.
“It’s not what we want.
“Listen to the people, listen to the residents. None of us have had consultation from the council.
“But we will happily meet them to discuss at any time and look forward to hopefully getting the opportunity.”
Mr Presta said neighbours had not observed any extra police patrols since recently meeting with Victoria Police at the site.
“We feel like nothing has changed, except (the hoons) can’t get in the park.”
Inspector Alison Crombie, who oversees the region’s traffic policing, said the site was listed as a “task” for patrols “as often as we can”.
