Smale Court residents are still angry about the condition of Oakwood Park Primary School. From left: Betty and John Cullen, Margaret Tricker and Doris and Bernard Taylor.
By Lia Bichel
NOBLE Park North residents continue to be up in arms after piles of grass and rubbish were left at Oakwood Park Primary School following an attempted clean-up last week.
Smale Court resident Bernard Taylor told the Star last month that the abandoned school had become a fire threat for surrounding residents because of the long grass and broken branches.
Last week the grass was mowed, Mr Bernard said, but piles of grass clippings and leaves remain on the site – doing nothing to ease his fear of potential fires.
“It was great that the lawn was mowed, but that job hasn’t been completed. Now there are leftover grass clippings that will be blown around,” he said.
“There is a huge heap of material, and at least two truck loads of dry leaves.” The 72-year-old, who has lived at his property for 42 years, said Smale Court was “a disgrace” and if the mess was not cleaned up appropriately, the value of his and his neighbour’s house would significantly decrease.
“The area is still an eyesore,” he said.
“We could lose thousands of dollars.”
Fellow Smale Court resident Gail Herbert said she shared Mr Bernard’s frustration.
“It’s tidier now, but the clippings haven’t been swept up. They are all over the footpath,” she said.
“I’ve complained about it before, but I think it’s a money issue. The State Government does not want to pay money to have it cleaned properly.”
Mr Bernard said the mess could be a deterrent for people who visited Mrs Herbert and her husband Brent’s annual Christmas light display.
“We have a wonderful display of Christmas lights in our court, with hundreds of dollars from it going to charity,” he said.
“Will the eyesore be there (for visitors) to view too?”
An Education Department spokesman said the Oakwood Park Primary School site was regularly inspected and would continue to be monitored to establish any necessary works and ensure it remained in an appropriate condition.
“The Department has already undertaken major ground works and further works will include the removal of dead trees,” the spokesman said.
“The department continues to explore options for the Oakwood Park site’s future educational use.”
