By ANEEKA SIMONIS
Family fumes as council washes its hands of septic stink…
A BERWICK family stuck in a smelly, long-term neighbourhood dispute has decided to kick up a stink.
The Crawford family is accusing the City of Casey of washing its hands of the problem.
Mother of two Kerry Crawford claims her neighbour’s septic tank has been broken causing sludgy waste to trail down onto her property.
She said she has seen toilet paper and other waste washed along the fence line and into her backyard.
But the issues is more than just on the nose, with Ms Crawford claiming the ongoing dampness caused by the run-off has caused two large gumtrees to fall over.
She also said a tree removalist has told her other trees may be affected.
“The three very big gumtrees that we have been advised are compromised are a very big concern as there are two of them that are close to our studio and pool area which would cause serious damage if they landed in that space,” she said.
“Not to mention the fact that our teenage son, who spends hours in that same space hitting his golf balls, could be killed if he happened to be there when they let go.”
She wants the council to pay to remove any dangerous trees because it did not enforce notices for the neighbour’s septic system to be replaced.
But the council has washed its hands of responsibility.
“Council has informed the property owners it is unable to undertake inspections relating to private trees and a private arborist or tree company would need to be engaged,” said City of Casey Manager of Parks and Reserves Trevor Griffin.
However the land has now partly dried out because the neighbours are away.
City of Casey Acting Manager of Community Safety Richard Maugueret said the council will make sure the owners replace the system if the house is occupied again.
“Council is satisfied the owner has implemented appropriate measures to ensure no public health risk exists, and the system is no longer is use.
“Council continues to monitor the property and will take appropriate enforcement action should use of the system recommence,” he said.
