Wyndham police have boosted patrols along the Werribee River Trail in response to concerns about drinking, drug use and anti-social behaviour after dark.
Inspector Marty Allison said that in the past two months, police had become “increasingly aware” of issues such as public drinking along the trail.
“We know it’s been trending that way for a little bit and we are getting patrols to go down there,” he said.
“We have increased our presence down there to help boost people’s perceptions of safety and make the area safe for people to enjoy.”
Last Thursday, John Marks from the Werribee River Association (WRA) took Star Weekly on a tour of the space by the river rail bridge, near Werribee train station. Syringes, sharps containers and alcohol cans were scattered under the bridge.
On July 9, volunteers from the Beach Patrol 3030 – which is managed by the WRA – and the Australian India Foundation collected 15 syringes while conducting a clean-up near the river at Wyndham Park. Mr Marks said he had also cleaned up liquor containers, condoms, small plastic bags and balloons dumped in the Heaths Road carpark of the Riverbend Historical Park.
“There appears to be a lot of binge drinking going on,” he said.
Star Weekly last week used Facebook to ask residents if they thought it was safe to walk along the river at night. Most respondees said they would not feel safe, day or night, with some citing concerns about “junkies”, “drugged people”, teenagers drinking near the river and a lack of lighting. However, one man said that, although he believed it was unsafe near the river, it was no worse than other parts of Werribee.
Wyndham acting chief executive Kate Roffey said the council and state government were developing a master plan for Wyndham Park that would include a river trail with walking and cycling paths and river terraces.
She said the council was also working to establish a riverside promenade on the city side of the river to encourage businesses to face the waterway.
