Council rangers should be given more powers when it comes to dealing with construction workers who do the wrong thing over long periods of time at building development sites.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This was the call from longtime Soldiers Point Road resident Joe Saliba, following claims of poor behaviour from workers at the former Salamander Shores redevelopment site.
Mr Saliba said for the past six months he and neighbouring residents have been forced to put up with parking issues, blocked driveways, pollution and bins and furniture items left for weeks on a public reserve.
Fed up, Mr Saliba lodged a complaint with Port Stephens Council on August 2, receiving a response from a ranger on September 10.
A council spokesperson said it had investigated all the complaints and would continue to monitor the site.
”In regard to the parking of vehicles blocking access to driveways, rangers have patrolled on a number of occasions with no issues at times of inspection,” the spokesperson said.
“The alleged pollution incident was investigated by rangers and no evidence was available to show a pollution incident occurred … the tables have been removed, one bin is still there and has been booked in for collection early next week.”
The spokesperson said that an improvement notice was sent to the company instructing it to improve and maintain the sediment and erosion controls that were in place.
“The company has complied within specified timeframes, so no fines have been issued.”
Mr Saliba said that developers needed to show leadership when carrying out construction works over a long period of time and it was incumbent on them to ensure their workers act in a responsible way.
“I think council rangers should be given more powers to act immediately on information,” Mr Saliba said.
“My first complaint went into the council on August 2 and it took nearly six weeks for a ranger to respond.
“My bigger worry is that some developers think they can come in, behave in an unsatisfactory manner and make life difficult for locals then leave for someone else to clean up their mess.”