Goya Dmytryshchak
A Seddon woman says residents are upset after Maribyrnong council ordered the removal of swings on nature strips in what’s known as ‘the street with swings’.
Katie Ewing said the swings attracted locals with their children.
“Some person … has made a vexatious complaint about the swings in the street trees in Hobbs Street and so they’re [council] going to every property and giving them a notice to remove the swings,” she said.
“The street’s really well known for it. People come and walk their kids on the street because they know it as ‘the street with swings’.
“There are about five swings along the street.
“Ours has been there for 10 years and we’ve never had any issues with it.
“I haven’t received a notice to remove it yet; I’ve just been told I’m going to get a notice to remove it.”
Maribyrnong’s infrastructure services director Steve Hamilton said the council had safety responsibilities relating to nature strips.
“As a council, we appreciate that COVID-19 has led to changes in the way we move around and use existing facilities,” he said.
“The recent installation of tree swings in Hobbs Street, Seddon, is an example of how some residents are improvising to stay close to home and play.
“Our local law requires that council ensure that users of nature strips come to no harm or injury.
“We need to ensure all those who access the nature strip do so safely.
“We look forward to continuing discussions with residents to explore options to enable both community desires and council’s commitment to safety to be met.
“We also have Harris Reserve that features swings, and also play spaces at the reserves in Mappin and Bristow that children can enjoy in this area.”
