Maribyrnong residents fed up with hooning, crime and anti-social behaviour are calling for help in cleaning up their neighbourhood.
Donna Jones was one of three Edgewater estate residents to address last week’s Maribyrnong council meeting to outline a litany of safety concerns.
She said robberies, drug deals and other anti-social behaviour were escalating and destroying a “beautiful neighbourhood”.
“We have all contacted the council … the issues, unfortunately, are escalating and none of us are happy with the response,” she said.
Complaints were also raised at the council meeting about abandoned building projects, including the Edgewater Boulevard development that was to become gaming venue Club Edgewater.
The Western Bulldogs last year walked away from the project, severing ties with developer Prizac and holding onto its 70 gaming machine licenses.
Andrea Saunders told the meeting the carpark on Magazine Way was attracting a range of unsavoury behaviour.
“I see cars turning up – they all get out, I have no idea what’s going on,” she said.
“It’s pitch black and I get woken up by cars doing burn-outs and skids.”
The mother of two said living directly across the road from the carpark left her feeling unsafe in her own home.
She said residents passing through the carpark regularly found syringes and up to a dozen used condoms at a time.
“I’ve rung the police and they say there should be some form of lighting there,” she said.
Maribyrnong planning services director Nigel Higgins said the carpark was managed by Working Heritage.
Working Heritage executive officer Ross Turnbull told Star Weekly concerns about the carpark had only recently been brought to his attention by the council.
“This is the first I had heard of it,” he said.
“I must admit I was surprised because the carpark is quite open – it’s not a place you would go to conduct nefarious business.”
Mr Turnbull said he was happy to work with the council on potential improvements such as upgraded lighting.
