Jennifer Pittorino
One Hobsons Bay resident has described the Williamstown commercial business district as a “very sad area,” complete with empty shops and a overflow of dog pee.
“I have never in my life seen an area which has been pissed on so much,” said Ray Lindner.
“You can go to every shop front and every single one has been pissed on and it runs across the footpath.
“I am not against people having pets but it seems everyone wants to take their dogs shopping.”
In his efforts to get the street clean, Mr Lindner visited several shops along Ferguson Street, Williamstown to sign a letter to council asking that the strip be cleaned.
“I spoke to this shop owner the other day who has been there for three years now, he said he has never seen a street sweeper in those three years,” Mr Lindner said.
“This needs to be cleaned, every street corner and every shop front is simply disgusting.”
One of the shops on Mr Lindner’s list was Ricardo’s Hairdressing.
For nearly 50 years owner Sam Pepe has traded in the same spot and has become increasingly disappointed with the cleanliness of the area.
“The footpath is filthy dirty. To be quite honest I can’t believe how filthy Williamstown has become,” he said.
“The dogs just pee everywhere, we have to put vinegar outside to stop it.”
On many occasions, Mr Pepe and his team have had to take cleaning matters into their own hands.
“Sometimes we have to weed ourselves, it is just terrible,” he said.
“The last three or four years it has gotten a lot worse, there used to be a lot of care but there isn’t now.”
Despite coming in on early mornings, Mr Pepe said he has never seen a street sweeper.
“I have come in early in the morning and I don’t see it, there is quite a neglect of it that’s for sure.”
A Hobsons Bay council spokesperson said, “Road sweepers are used around the Ferguson Street and Douglas Parade shops daily. Following a recent resident request for a bin cleaning, a pressure wash and deep clean was completed the next day. “
