By Brendan Rees
A Cranbourne East woman has been left disappointed after the Casey Council fun police ordered her to remove a basketball hoop from her street.
The woman, who did not want her name used, said she had no choice but to dismantle the hoop which had been standing at the end of her residential street near a reserve for the past seven years.
“I had three options. I either have $2000 fine if I don’t remove it myself or they will take me to the Magistrate’s Court or they will organise a contractor to remove it at my cost,” she said after the council told her there had been a complaint but “refused to give any other information”.
Much to her regret she said she ended up getting a friend to remove the hoop.
“It’s very, very disappointing it’s going to be taken away from all these kids,” she said, who before stay-at-home restrictions, had loved playing together at the hoop with her two teenage sons.
“It’s been there for seven years and I’ve never had a complaint. It’s in a place that not causing anybody any harm. It’s not stopping any foot of traffic; it’s not obstructing any view of any drivers or anything like that at all.
“I understand if it was and I would agree to have it pulled down but it’s not obstructing anything at all.”
She said the hoop “never impeded council reserve for maintenance purposes as council still have access”.
“It is not a traffic incident area for children as it is at the end of the court and traffic is next to nil at the far end of the court.”
She added the council only maintained the area every two years “when myself or neighbours complained” due to tree maintenance issues.
Casey Council safer communities manager Caroline Bell said council were investigating a complaint relating to the installation of a basketball hoop.
“While they may be fun, structures of this type that have been installed without a permit, and often used by children, are not covered by insurance, nor can we ensure that such structures are safe. Due to the rings’ curbside location, children may also be at risk from traffic accidents,” she said.
“The location of this hoop, whilst at the end of a court, also impedes access to Council’s reserve for maintenance purposes.
“Residents can install basketball hoops on their own property, without a council permit. To do so elsewhere, people must seek the permission of the relevant landowner and apply for a permit from council prior to installation.
“The City of Casey provides and maintain many reserves, parklands and sporting areas across the municipality for community use, including basketball facilities. Covid-19 restrictions notwithstanding, we encourage residents to make use of these facilities, as they are purpose built, insured and safe.”
