By Marcus Uhe
Lyndhurst resident Mark Ruberto is leading a push to have lights installed around popular walking paths in his suburb to alleviate safety concerns and promote exercise.
Mr Ruberto’s online petition gained more than 300 signatures within the first week, and he plans to lobby the City of Casey to install the lights.
He said the proximity to public transport locations such as Lynbrook station makes the walkways a popular thoroughfare which would benefit from additional lighting.
“I’ve recently started walking a bit earlier in the morning and it is quite dark,” Mr Ruberto said. “It is very dark in some of those spots.
“There’s concern and a want from the community. You don’t get 300 signatures out of nothing.”
Mr Roberto also referenced lighting upgrades installed at Banjo Paterson Park in nearby Lynbrook as a potential example to follow.
Should the petition reach the target of 500 signatures, Mr Ruberto will approach the City of Casey to further lobby for action to be taken.
Manager for safer communities at City of Casey Daniel Osborne said council was aware of the petition and would be happy to discuss Mr Ruberto’s concerns about public safety and options to address those concerns.
“Council receives a number of requests each year from residents for additional lighting and other measures to address community safety concerns in public areas,” Mr Osborne said.
“This was the case with Banjo Paterson Park where Council worked with the local community and received a grant from the Victorian Government to support the installation of 53 lights around the park to address concerns around anti-social behaviour.
“Residents can contact Council at any time to raise concerns about public safety in and around Council reserves and facilities.
“All requests are reviewed and where action is deemed necessary, it is considered as part of Council’s capital works program.”
At time of publishing the petition had reached 313 signatures of support.
To sign-up for the petition, head to change.org/p/safety-solar-lights-for-lyndhurst
