By ANEEKA SIMONIS
CARDINIA Shire Council will consider sharing fencing costs with Lakeside residents whose household privacy diminished with a new pathway introduced.
The decision comes after residents living along the estate’s boundary line were told fencing arrangements were their own responsibility in a council statement issued on Monday 10 November.
But father-of-three Ryan Donaldson said he was always under the impression council were going to foot the bill of the privacy extensions after talks with the pathway project manager Malcolm Newman.
“He told my neighbour he totally understood where we were coming from with our privacy concerns … he said he would try find the money in the council budget,” Mr Donaldson said.
Mr Newman admitted the pathway, which was unable to be lowered in areas due to underground pipes, does impose on some homes in Lakeside.
“I recognised after I went out (to the houses) that there are privacy issues for some of the properties,” he said.
“I said we will get a fencer out there and see what options we have. But I never made any promises on the budget.”
Affected homeowner Troy Holt said he could see people from waist height as they walk the pathway opposite his house.
Mr Holt said he had had two fencers come to his property, but they refused to quote the job.
He and his wife Debbie are waiting to hear back from a successful quote drawn up over the weekend and plan to submit it to council for consideration.
Council team leader engineer Andrew Barr said council was open to discussing costs with residents.
“Once they have received the quote, residents can contact council to discuss fencing options. Any contribution or shared cost will be considered by council once the job is quoted,” he said.
“Any fencing alterations may be subject to building and planning regulations or VicRoads approval.”
The pathway which runs for 1.5 kilometres between Pakenham police station and Cardinia Road in Officer was completed at the beginning of November.
While the majority of residents appear unaffected by the new path, others including the Donaldson family have said it made them feel unsafe.
“There is just no privacy at all. It’s not fair. I used to sit out and read or the kids used to play by themselves in the yard, but they can’t now because it feels unsafe and there is no privacy,” mother Sarah Donaldson said.
