PILING UP: Residents of Windred Street are concerned the rubbish on this property will cause rats and mice to breed. Photo: JUDE KEOGH
ORANGE City Council admits the rubbish piling up at 8 Windred Street is the worst it has ever been, but is reluctant to clean it up.
A nearby resident, who asked not to be named, approached the Central Western Daily to complain the rubbish had reached dangerous levels.
The resident is concerned that, with summer approaching, the rubbish will cause a vermin infestation.
“There’s rotten stuff there,” the resident said.
“It’s probably 10 times worse than what it has been.”
Orange City Council spokesman Nick Redmond said council was seeking quotes to clean up the mess.
He said council had a broad range of powers but took great care when deciding whether to execute those powers.
“We have got orders on the resident to clean up the place,” he said.
“We don’t take it lightly.
“It’s a significant step for us to do that, to enter a person’s property.”
Mr Redmond appreciated the concerns of Windred Street residents, saying they were right to be disappointed.
“It’s certainly worse than it has been,” he said.
“It’s a pretty challenging situation.”
The nearby resident was frustrated council had taken so long to act on complaints from neighbours.
“It’s an eyesore,” the resident said.
“It’s giving the street a bad name and it should be cleaned up.”
Mr Redmond said council had a five-year court order on the land owner.
Council can clean up the property any time during those five years.
“There is a process we need to go through and we always try to do these things more quickly,” Mr Redmond said.
However, the nearby resident does not hold much hope for a long-term solution.
“Council’s been trying to do it for 20 years,” he said.
“It just gets worse and worse and worse.”
nicole.kuter@
ruralpress.com