General News
14 February, 2024
Abandoned cars left to rot
A CONCERNED local has been left wondering why two abandoned vehicles have remained dumped in the region despite having alerted authorities months ago.
Laang’s Lisette Mill said she had raised concerns surrounding a silver Kia abandoned at the Terang train station and a white Mitsubishi truck abandoned near the rail line at Sampsons Ford Road in Garvoc.
She said she first noticed the car at the station in August and the truck in October, both in 2023.
Mrs Mill said she had alerted V/Line and VicTrack to the issue but felt she had received a “meandering” response.
“I put my husband on a train in August, which was when I first saw the car. It didn’t look like it had been that long but then when I caught a train in October, it was still there,” she said.
“I caught the train to travel to the airport, and when I returned from overseas in November it was still there, which is when I reported it.
“I was asking myself how it was possible nobody had done anything about it.”
Mrs Mill said it seemed like the process for removing the vehicles was not being treated as a priority.
“If this was a carpark in Melbourne, we know it wouldn’t be there for this long,” she said.
“Why is it that remote, regional Victoria ends up having these vehicles abandoned, one right next to the rail way line and one in the car park at a station, with so much time before anything happens.
“It seems as though it’s not until a concerned citizen like me jumps up and down about it that anything happens.”
Mrs Mill said the response to the situation highlighted an “underwhelming lack of urgency”.
“When people in rural Victoria report issues with dumped vehicles, it seems that the action is remarkably slow,” she said.
Western District Newspapers sought comment from V/Line and VicTrack seeking information on the circumstances surrounding vehicles and their removal.
Terang Police Senior Constable Ken Sayer said police had conducted investigations but believed the removal of both vehicles was under VicTrack’s jurisdiction.
“Police are aware of both vehicles and have conducted investigations,” he said.
“The truck, which has been left abandoned near the track on Sampsons Ford Road, had been reported stolen and we’ve alerted the owner to its location.
“As the truck has been stuck among the rocks, the owner has attempted to retrieve the vehicle and has been unsuccessful in their attempts.”
A V/Line spokesperson said they only became aware of the truck on February 7, and were working closely with local police to contact the owner and have them remove the truck at their earliest opportunity.
The spokesperson said V/Line was also aware of the vehicle abandoned at the station, and have been working with authorities to follow due process and have the car safely removed.
“Entering the rail reserve without authorisation is strictly prohibited and can also pose serious safety risks,” the spokesperson said.
“This senseless behaviour is not only dangerous but can also cause costly damage to trains and rail infrastructure.
“The dumping of any rubbish, including vehicles, in the rail reserve is incredibly dangerous and can pose a threat to the safe operation of trains.
“Rail safety is a shared responsibility and we ask anyone who witnesses any illegal activity in the rail reserve to contact Victoria Police immediately.”
