By Danielle Kutchel
Hoon activity on Chadwick Road in Harkaway is escalating, locals say, with damage caused to Melbourne Water property and the surrounding landscape in recent days.
And it’s now extending into adjoining Foott Road in Upper Beaconsfield, with residents reporting noisy vehicles tearing through the area, through Cardinia Creek and a nearby Melbourne Water pipeline, eroding the embankment near the creek and damaging the bush environment.
Residents have reported vandalism to council and Melbourne Water-owned gates along the pipeline and creek access point on the road, just days after the lock on one of the gates that barred access to the area was repaired after being damaged in a previous attack by trespassers.
One gate was physically removed from its post on the Foott Road side and dumped on the Chadwick Road side of the creek.
Residents say they’ve been physically and verbally assaulted by reckless drivers.
Even Melbourne Water contractors who visit the roads to fix the damaged property have been subjected to threatening behaviour.
Melbourne Water manager of regional services south east, waterways and catchment operations, John Woodland, said the organisation was “extremely disappointed” at the “damaging” way the road was being used.
He said Melbourne Water had increased its security in the area and reported issues to the police.
“We’ve now installed bollards at Chadwick Road to prevent vehicles accessing our nearby pipe track and, along with the boulders and heavy duty gates already in place, this will further restrict access to the creek,” he said.
“We have spent several thousand dollars on repeatedly repairing damaged gates.
“The money we are having to spend on repairing the damaged gates would be better spent on our important waterways projects, such as maintaining Cardinia Creek.
“These sorts of activities damage the environment and pose a threat to wildlife in the area.”
A Cardinia Shire Council spokesperson said it would continue to work with Casey Council, police and CFA on solutions to address the vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
“Drivers are reminded the end of this road is a no-through road and unauthorised vehicles are not permitted to drive down to or around Cardinia Creek,” the spokesperson said.
Alan Foster, acting coordinator of community safety at the City of Casey, reiterated the pipeline track was for emergency use only and said the council was “actively working” with police.
Victoria Police said it had zero tolerance for anti-social behaviour, hooning and reckless driving and encouraged victims or witnesses to report the behaviour to the Police Assistance Line on 131 444, or in an emergency, call Triple Zero.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said they commended Melbourne Water and Casey Council on their efforts to combat the problem.
