By Laura Michell
A South Morang resident living opposite the Riverside Community Activity Centre has called for Whittlesea council to ban the centre from hosting teenage parties.
Lindsay Taggert wants the council to introduce age restrictions on parties following three teenage parties at the centre in the past six months, which he says became out of control.
He said police were called to two of the parties, the most recent of which took place on January 18 and resulted in a fight in the street.
“It seemed like there were more than 250 people there. I stepped out the front [of my house] and it was like I had stepped into a war zone. There were so many cop cars and people in the street,” Mr Taggert said.
“It was shocking. The police had both ends of the street blocked off. It was very unruly.”
Mr Taggert said the centre only began hosting teenage birthday parties recently and is urging the council to put a stop to them.
“When there are no teenage parties there, everything is good,” he said.
“The people in the street are afraid there will be a fight every Saturday night. I have been in the street for 20 years and the last six months have been the worst. I think we have had enough.”
Whittlesea council advocacy, communications and customer experience manager Dean Jenkins said council was aware of residents’ concerns about the January 18 incident.
“While the City of Whittlesea does not discriminate against ages of parties held at the centres, we do ensure all hirers are aware of the terms and conditions and are held to account of these requirements,” he said.
“We are constantly reviewing our operating procedures and requirements and will look at ways we can further minimise any disruption to local residents, whilst balancing the need for community meeting spaces at any of our community activity centres.”
