Resident told to clean up
Resident told to clean up
By MICHELLE LOTTER - North Shore Times | Tuesday, 1 May 2007After four years of complaints from neighbours a Northcote resident is being ordered to tidy up his property.
But Peter Christie does not believe his unmown lawn, complete with a run-down rusted Honda Accord and Datsun station wagon and other litter are a problem, and says he has never heard his neighbours complain.
The North Shore City Council has instructed him to put fitted covers on his cars and tidy and maintain his lawn.
If he fails to comply, his vehicles could be removed and he would be charged for the costs, says council environmental services officer Malcolm Denmead.
"We can give fines but when you know people don’t have money you don’t go down that track," he says.
Mr Denmead deals with problem properties in Glenfield, Northcote and Beach Haven, many of which have their windows and curtains shut and from the outside it is difficult to tell the extent of untidyness.
He says Mr Christie’s property on College Rd is nothing compared with the other properties the council deals with, such as a Glenfield house which was burned so badly it is now inhabitable [sic] after it served as a popular hang-out for streetkids and rats.
