A Hillside couple is pleading with Melton council to “do something” about what they consider is a disaster waiting to happen behind their house.
Laura Cini and James Scicluna moved into their Speargrass Drive home about four years ago. Since then, they’ve witnessed dozens of snake bites on family pets in and around their street – including one on one of their own.
Ms Cini said she was frustrated the council had refused to listen to the concerns of her and her neighbours about the fence-high grass on land behind their property.
She said that earlier this month, a snake had fatally bitten a neighbour’s dog.
“When that dog was bitten, my niece was at my house playing in the backyard,” Ms Cini said. “What if that snake had been in my backyard and bitten my niece? I worry all the time.”
About two years ago, Ms Cini’s dog was bitten by a snake and died. A neighbour’s dog has been bitten by a snake twice and another dog had to be euthanased after it was bitten.
“There’s been a few snake issues; that’s our biggest concern – as well as the grassfires,” Ms Cini said. “I’m not that concerned about a house being burned down; a house can be rebuilt. It’s the memories, my belongings and my dogs that can never be replaced.”
Fire risk
Last year, after a small grassfire in the paddock behind Ms Cini’s house, the Country Fire Authority carried out a planned burn.
But following last week’s Calder Park fires and the early start to the bushfire season, Speargrass Drive residents are more concerned than ever about fire.
A Watch and Act was issued for Calder Park, Sydenham, Hillside (Melton), Sydenham Park, Keilor North and Taylors Lakes following a fast-moving grassfire near the Calder Park Thunderdome.
Property owner’s responsiblity
Melton council operations manager Greg Wood said the CFA would not undertake a planned burn on the land.
“A further fire prevention notice has been issued this week to the property owner to undertake alternate fire prevention works,” Mr Wood said.
“This will include the installation of a bare earth break along the property boundary that will act as a buffer and protect the properties. We expect the owner to undertake these works shortly – if not, council will be undertaking the works at the cost of the owner.”
