NEIGHBOURS living next door to a vacant block of land in Kelso being used as a dumping ground for rubbish fear the situation is a fire hazard, putting property and lives at risk.
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Allan Johnson lives next door to the block, on the corner of Bannerman Crescent and Schofield Way, and says it is littered with old washing machines, microwaves and other rubbish, including broken grass and bags full of lawn clippings.
But of most concern is the overgrown grass and weeds.
Given recent high temperatures, with more hot weather to come, he said the grass and weeds are drying out rapidly and all it would take is a cigarette butt to start what could turn into a significant fire.
Mr Johnson said he has reported the matter to Bathurst Regional Council and the Environment Protection Authority a number of times, but to little avail.
When contacted by the Western Advocate, council confirmed the block was privately owned and a spokesperson said it was the owner’s responsibility to tend the block.
But Mr Johnson doesn’t know who owns it, and is left in limbo living next to an overgrown dump.
“The problem is ongoing, it’s been like this for six years,” he said.
“The way it is presents a fire hazard to neighbouring houses.
“It’s being used as a dumping ground.
“There’s a washing machine and half a microwave, and bags of grass clippings.
“The block is littered with broken glass and other rubbish.”
He said there used to be a house on the block, but it was burnt down years ago, and since then the block has become a problem.
Another neighbour, Troy Hogan, said he thinks the block should be fenced off.
“They don’t mow it, they don’t do anything with it,” he said. “All it would take is a cigarette butt and the whole thing will go up. If that happens it will blow onto our roofs, and our houses will catch fire.
“It’s a safety and fire hazard for the community; there’s lots of kids in this area, and a lot of them cut through the block.
“It needs to be cleaned up and made safe.
“Who knows, there’s probably also needles and snakes in there.”
Mr Johnson said residents in the area want the block to be maintained.