Rats, mosquitoes and mess: West Coast residents frustrated with neighbour's hoarding of rubbish
Residents at West Coast Road are struggling with the hoarding habits of one of their neighbours.
One of the residents shared with Stomp photos of rubbish, including boxes, bins and discarded furniture heaped at the front of his neighbour's landed property.
According to the Stomper, this has become a breeding ground for pests like rats and mosquitoes.
He added that he has set up rat traps around his property after spotting the rodents running around.
"We have caught about seven or eight rats in the last few months," he said.
However, he noted that the rodents have "gotten smarter" and now avoid the baited traps.
"The Schoolhouse preschool next door has kids running around," he said.
"Should there be a dengue outbreak, these kids would be the first to be infected."
The hoarding of rubbish has also affected the marketability of properties in the area.
"Some of the owners are arranging prospective buyers to view their place, but they comment negatively on the rubbish pile up in this unit," said the Stomper.
He told Stomp that he has reported the issue on the OneService app over the past eight months but nothing has been done.
He has also raised this to his member of parliament.
He shared a photo of a written order from the National Environment Agency (NEA) that was put up on his neighbour's gate.
In the letter addressed to the owners of the property, the NEA says that the premises had been "found to be favourable to the propagation and harbouring of vectors".
It directs the homeowners to carry out measures, including collecting and disposing of all unwanted water-bearing receptacles and ensuring there is no stagnation of water on the ground, canvas, or plastic sheet, in drains, roof tops, roof gutters, manhole covers and other structures.
The letter says these measures should be completed within seven days of service of the order.
Stomp understands that the pile of rubbish is still at the property.
"Can something be done?" asked the Stomper.
Stomp has contacted the NEA for more information.
