Mess has neighbours down in the dumps

By Lia Bichel and Bridget Brady
THE owner of an eyesore in Hampton Park could be ordered to clean up his cluttered property for the fifth time in 20 years.
The property, on the corner of Hallam Road and Willow Drive, is surrounded by rubbish including bikes, bits of fence, wood and other items.
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith said the property had been a problem for almost two decades and asked the council to convene a meeting to address the issue.
Cr Smith said the man who lives in the house claimed to run a business where he restores and sells items, but the mess he is leaving in his yard is “getting out of hand.”
“It’s been unsightly for years, but it’s escalated in the last couple of months and rubbish has spilled over the property boundaries,” Cr Smith said. “It’s on a main entry road to Hampton Park so it’s not good advertisement for the area, real estate agents said it has affected property values in the area, plus it’s unsightly for neighbours who have been patient for a long time.”
Neighbours told the News they have never had a problem with the homeowner, but agreed his property was an eyesore and devalued their homes. “From what I can remember it has always been like that,” Janelle, 16, said. “It is disgusting.”
Another resident, who did not want to be named, said they bought their house nearby because they were told his mess would be gone shortly. That was one year ago.
Cr Smith said the council have applied to the courts four times to get clean-up orders, but the process takes about 12 months. “It’s a lengthy process,” Cr Smith said.
“We would have to seek co-operation with the courts or seek a change in State Government regulations so the property could be cleaned up more often.”