Neglected Western Sydney parkland, broken barbed wire fences, overgrown, congested creek, long unslashed grass full of snakes & is a fire danger, burnt out rusty old cars and other risks to the public.
Neglected Western Sydney parkland, broken barbed wire fences, overgrown, congested creek, long unslashed grass full of snakes & is a fire danger, burnt out rusty old cars and other risks to the public.
THIS land near a primary school is a death trap, according to Eastern Creek resident Keith Darley.
He lives across the road from the Western Sydney Parklands Trust property and has been lobbying for four years to have something done to make it safer.
Mr Darley said lack of fencing makes it accessible to anyone, who could then trip on broken barbed wire.
He believes Eastern Creek, which runs though the site, poses a drowning risk as it isn't easy to see, and someone may get caught in the grasses, unable to break free.
"The trust is ignoring the dangers," Mr Darley said.
"I want to raise awareness.
"I'm always getting kids out of there in the fear they will drown in the creek. It's privately owned land and should be fenced off."
The overgrown grass makes the land a fire hazard, according to Mr Darley, a former Rural Fire Service volunteer.
"There's a gas substation on the property and if that caught fire, it would cause the biggest explosion you'll see in a lifetime," he said.
He wrote to the parklands' operations and visitor services manager Jacob Messer last week.
"It is not our job to look after your property," Mr Darley wrote.
"Western Sydney Parklands is responsible for the upkeep and, if it cannot do so, it should be removed from responsibility and given to someone who can."
Mr Messer has since responded to Mr Darley, and damaged fencing along the boundary will be replaced over the next two months.
Work is starting this week to remove broken wire and overhanging branches from the verge.
"The Trust initiated a site inspection with the NSW Rural Fire Service in May, who advised that the site is at low fire risk of bushfire," Mr Messer said.
He said this was the first time the trust had heard about a drowning risk but they would investigate further.