Going potty!

By Shaun Inguanzo
SPRINGVALE traders are cracking it over gaping potholes that are destroying vehicles and posing safety threats to pedestrians in the town’s shopping district.
Greater Dandenong Council this week said it would pursue the matter as one of community safety after a series of fruitless talks with the body corporate in charge of the affected St Andrews Laneway.
Frustrated traders located in the laneway, which connects with St James Avenue, are desperately plugging the prodigious potholes – some a metre wide – with bricks and gravel in a bid to keep customers.
Andrew Pho, 27, manager of bedding store Dreamworks, said there were at least 10 gaping potholes in the small laneway.
“I’ve never met the body corporate, but I’ve spoken to them and their excuse is that not all the traders are paying their body corporate fees,” he said.
“But that’s unfair because there are a lot of people who have paid, including myself, and who have done so for the last five years.”
Mr Pho said the potholes were growing larger with each passing week, and while the body corporate refused to fix it, the repair bill was set to grow more expensive.
“When I first complained (a year and half ago) there were only four holes, now there are about 10,” he said.
“Some traders are filling them with gravel but the problem is when it is wet, the gravel flies up and can be dangerous.”
Mr Pho said he and fellow traders were losing business as a result of customers not wanting to damage their cars.
Greater Dandenong Council said the potholes spoke for themselves.
“The state of the laneway is of concern and council believes this has become a community safety matter,” a spokeswoman said.
“Council will now determine what steps will be taken to ensure the road is of an acceptable, safe standard.”