A Sydenham road notorious for hooning and illegal rubbish dumping has been closed to motorists.
The Brimbank council has installed a heavy-duty gate and erected a road closure sign at the dead-end stretch of Sydenham Road, south of McNicholl Way.
The area has become a hotspot for illegal rubbish dumping, dumping and burning of stolen vehicles and reckless driving.
Brimbank mayor John Hedditch said the council was “fed up” with the time, money and resources spent responding to issues on the dead-end road.
“Making this stretch of the road inaccessible to motorists should put a stop to the activities that have been concerning the community and council,” Cr Hedditch said.
The council has also installed cameras with infrared technology and number plate recognition in the area.
Since early 2015 there have been more than 40 infringement notices issued to litterers in Sydenham Road alone, with fines ranging from $300 to $1900. Cr Hedditch said almost $700,000 is spent each year on collecting and disposing of dumped rubbish across Brimbank. In hotspot areas, almost $5000 is spent weekly.
“Council has a zero tolerance approach to illegal rubbish dumping and littering and seeks to prosecute offenders,” Cr Hedditch said.
“It should be known that the consequences for not acting responsibly are significant.
“Offenders can be served with an infringement or [face] prosecution in the magistrates’ court.”
Sydenham resident Richard Carthew is one of several local residents who have been campaigning to close Sydenham Road for the past three years.
Mr Carthew said the closure was a win for the whole community.
“The area will no longer be used as a rubbish dump,” he said.
“People can walk their dogs there safely and I believe in the long-term, the area will be a part of a bicycle path.
“It’s a win-win situation.
“The pride of our suburb has been restored.”
