Street Is Raceway For Cars: Residents
Newcastle Herald
Thursday March 25, 2004
CATHERINE Hill Bay residents demanded at a protest meeting that authorities act to reduce unlawful behaviour in their village.
The meeting, on Tuesday night, followed an accident on Flowers Drive in which a Holden Commodore rolled several times before crashing into bushland.
Witnesses said the vehicle had allegedly done three burnouts outside the Wallarah Hotel just before the accident on Sunday night.
Police confirmed yesterday that alcohol and speed may have been factors in the accident.
Two men, aged 25 and 32, from Cardiff and Teralba, were flown to hospital with serious injuries. One remains in hospital with an injured back.
Resident Margrete Erling, who organised the meeting, said Flowers Drive had become a ``racetrack" for speeding cars and trail bikes.
The street was a 50kmh zone that had many homes on it, she said.
``Minutes after the accident 100 residents were on the street furious, upset and angry, because they could have hit one of our kids," Ms Erling said.
``It's been going on for too long. Many people who visit the town realise the area is lawless, so they have a few beers and go yahooing."
Catherine Hill Bay Progress Association secretary Brian Cogan said the place where the accident happened was a known black-spot. He said traffic calming devices and more police patrols were needed.
Police and politicians were at the meeting to hear the residents' concerns.
© 2004 Newcastle Herald