By Afraa Kori
After 20 years of frustration, driving instructor Leanne Calder continues her fight with the Department of Transport and Planning over the neglected embankment opposite 725 Princes Highway, Berwick.
The overgrown embankment and fallen trees, pose fire hazards, health risks, and attract pests, including rats and snakes, due to dumped rubbish.
“I look across the road from my house daily to what looks like a tip and rubbish dump,” she said angrily.
“I would utterly feel embarrassed to have car registration plates that say “Victoria the garden state” on my vehicle, as it’s not, what a joke!
“Just frustration for no one caring what Berwick looks like, and the stress of trying to do something about it impacts me daily.”
The Gazette previously reported on the issue in February and years prior, yet the embankment remains neglected.
Despite Department of Transport and Planning claims that maintenance would be carried out, their efforts have been “minimal”, with only a thin strip of mowing completed while fallen trees, rubbish, and overgrown areas remain untouched.
“Have some pride in yourself and actually do your job right,” Leanne said.
“You are paying contractors to do a pitiful job”. Your response of “sending someone out there is enough” is disgraceful shows the contempt you hold for the community, our concerns and the quality of the surrounding amenities!”
A month later, Leanne followed up, requesting to speak with the maintenance manager from Vic Roads. However, the staff “refused”, showed disregard for her complaint, and did not act on her request to escalate the issue.
“The staff demeanour on the phone showed disregard about my complaint and after telling him I had called several times and no one was calling back,” she said.
“He didn’t act on my request and did not seem to want to listen. He had a you’re wasting my day attitude, and was at times sarcastic and rude on the phone.
“I commented to the staff from Vic Roads how they must’ve been very proud to make the news yet again recently when the dry unmowed grass along the Monash fwy went up in flames! He didn’t seem to care or respond, just tried to hurry me off the phone.”
Neighbours also complained about the embankment, while businesses like the Ford dealership took matters into their own hands by mowing the area due to its poor condition.
Leanne has criticized the Department of Transport for dismissing complaints without action, and calls for government accountability to address the widespread issue.
“I feel like I’m knocking on a door and no one’s home. Our embankments, gutters and roadways look atrocious! No one cares, it’s all about the money and what it costs”, she said.
“I clearly believe they have no intention of cleaning it up or intention to direct the contractors to actually do their job properly with pride and professionalism.
“They give you the answers they want published to pacify the complaint and hope the problem goes away, shown by continually refusing to act on my complaint.
“Long term solution is for Vicroads to be made accountable by our State government, it’s not just the embankment along my section of road that is a disgrace, it’s everywhere!”
The Department of Transport and Planning was approached for comment.
