Choking dust that has been making life uncomfortable for residents at the western end of Church Street in Hamlyn Heights has largely disappeared thanks to the brothers Kontelj – City of Greater Geelong Councillors Eddy Kontelj and his brother, Cr Stretch Kontelj.
In a media release, the City said a formerly unsealed section of Church Street, near the point at which it meets the Geelong Ring Road, had been causing the serious dust problem, along with heavy vehicles using the street to access properties alongside the Ring Road.
“Add to that the very dry weather conditions that have prevailed since Christmas and it’s been a trying time for local residents battling with the dust clouds,” the release said.
“But happily the ordeal is over.
“City of Greater Geelong road-making crews have completed a preliminary seal of the street’s problem section and residents are breathing a sigh of relief, without having to hold a handkerchief over their mouths.”
The release said the brothers arranged to pool some available funding from their respective wards and put it toward a preliminary road seal.
“This was quickly done, at a total cost of $23,340 – a bargain according to the residents,” the release said.
“Obviously it was not a big project and it won’t change the world,” Cr Eddy Kontelj said.
“But it was a worthwhile little community job that illustrates one of the things local government is about – looking after residents at the grass roots level, and making life a bit better for the little people.”
Cr Stretch Kontelj agreed, and said it was a matter of priorities.
“This was a situation brought about by a combination of events – it was nobody’s fault that the very dry conditions and the numbers of trucks needing to access the other side of the Ring Road had combined to generate all this dust.
“But most of all it was not the fault of the Church Street residents who were suffering, so the priority was to help them regain their lifestyles and general amenity.”
