Safety concerns over loutish behaviour

By Meg Rayner
Updated November 2 2012 - 1:04pm, first published December 4 2009 - 12:27pm
CONCERN: Caravan park operator Cathy Buckland.
CONCERN: Caravan park operator Cathy Buckland.

LOUD music, underage drinking and violence at a nearby reserve have Creswick Calembeen Lake Caravan Park owners scared for the safety of their children and visitors.Cathy Buckland and her partner Frank Shelton have owned the caravan park for the past four years.Ms Buckland said the problems Calembeen Lake Park Reserve had steadily worsened each summer and she believed it was time the council took action."There's the loud music, the abuse, the fighting, smashing glass ... there's no lighting up there so when the police do come, they run around the park or the pool and into the caravan park," she said.In a letter to Hepburn Shire Council, Ms Buckland said she and Mr Shelton felt let down by the council.The pair fear for their two daughters Hannah, six, and Abbey, nine, who have witnessed Mr Shelton being attacked at the reserve.Ms Buckland said just last week a group of youths threw beer bottles at her partner's head before running through the caravan park."After the group threw the stubbies at Frank, the girls were upset. They were petrified."Hepburn Shire chief executive officer Kaylene Conrick said council was working with police to address the issue."Concerns about behaviour and safety at the Calembeen Park Reserve were brought to our attention recently by Creswick Police," she said,"Our officers will be meeting with police soon to discuss ways to maintain the amenity of the reserve. We are also in the process of installing additional lighting."

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