Empty streets caused by Big Build works are turning parts of Cardinia and Casey into a “playground” for criminals, former detectives and local businesses warn.
Businesses have seen ongoing burnouts, drag racing, vandalism and bikies in the area.
“There’s a lot of burnouts. Every day I drive into the street, I see fresh ones,” said a trader of eight years.
“I’ve seen burnouts regularly. Some are in registered cars, others don’t have number plates,” said a trader of 10 years.
The disruption has escalated beyond annoyance to genuine danger.
“Sometimes the screech is so loud I can’t teach the class. It distracts the kids,” said a trader of 40 years.
“There are kids in the street — for example, near the Lego store. Families go there regularly, so it’s dangerous,” said a trader of eight years.
Two former Cardinia detectives (each with 30 years of experience), said the road closures have unintentionally removed natural surveillance, creating opportunities for criminal behaviour.
“There’s no traffic around here at the moment. When there’s more traffic, there’s less crime because there are more eyes on the street, not just cameras,” one of them said.
“The road closures at night give crooks free rein to commit crime. I went up there at 9pm and I saw it myself.”
One former detective recalled being assaulted last year while trying to intervene in illegal burnouts.
At the time, he called Pakenham Police Station, who advised him to take photos because no units could attend.
“A retired detective stepping in says a lot about the current system,” he said.
Former detectives explained that police “never patrol” at Big Build sites because it is “too hard to navigate through the diversions” and are also “not allowed to exceed speed limits on construction roads to get to urgent jobs.”
They stressed it is not the fault of frontline officers.
“They do not have enough hours to patrol. If you ring Pakenham station, they won’t answer — they’re that busy,” one former detective said.
“Police will always say they have enough members, but that’s not the reality.
“When I was in the force, I couldn’t attend everything because not all jobs are seen as urgent.”
Concerns have heightened following the public release of the CFMEU report Rotting from the Top, which alleged bikie links to Victoria’s Big Build projects.
“A business was burgled on the same day The Age published this bombshell,” one trader told the Gazette.
“Me and my wife are scared. I didn’t sleep at all last night. Who knows what these crooks will do next?”
Former detectives said the recent rise in local crime may be an “intimidation tactic”, noting that small businesses have been vocal about the financial impact of prolonged closures, including launching a petition that was raised in Parliament last week.
Liberal MP Brad Battin added: “Businesses in Cardinia have seen massive increases in crime under Jacinta Allan. Now with reports of corruption, intimidation, and threats from Labor’s Big Build program, yes businesses have a right to be concerned.
“This is not a new allegation; it was just pushed under the carpet by the now Premier who was Minister for the Big Build at the time of the original allegations. Jacinta Allan must come clean on what she knew, and when.“
While Victoria Police have not confirmed gang links to these alleged incidents, the former detectives said “the bikie club is around the corner – they know where it is”.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said local police have not received reports of recent high-risk driving events in the area.
“Police also hold no intelligence indicating there are ongoing issues involving outlaw motorcycle gangs in this location,” a spokesperson said.
“However, Cardinia Highway Patrol officers regularly conduct targeted patrols and operations in the surrounding area to detect and deter dangerous driving as part of standard tasking.”
Some small business owners said fears of firebombing and intimidation have left many reluctant to report incidents.
“This is too close to home. Everyone is scared. Who wants to dob bikies to the police? That’s suicidal,” a former detective said.
A Victorian Government spokesperson said: “we have zero tolerance for any sort of illegal behaviour and support the (CFMEU) administrator’s comments that it should be referred to the AFP, Victoria Police, the Fair Work Commission and other relevant law-enforcement agencies and regulators for investigation.
“Taskforce Hawk is ongoing and has resulted in almost 70 charges laid against 15 alleged offenders so far.
“We’ll let those matters play out in the courts but it’s clear police are doing everything they can to stamp this behaviour out.
“We would again urge anyone with knowledge of unacceptable or unlawful behaviour taking place on Big Build worksites to report it.”
