Doreen Wood’s petition calling for Griffith to be cleaned up and revitalised received 1500 signatures. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Griffith City Council has announced it will hold a workshop to “explore practical solutions” to clean up the town, after it was handed a petition that described the CBD and main streets as “empty, dirty and uninviting”.
Doreen Wood, who owns the main street clothing store Valentine Modes, presented council with the petition that had around 1500 signatures at its March meeting on Tuesday (11 March).
“On Yambil Street, the ornamental grasses that have been planted are all dead; there’s no water,” she said is a presentation to councillors.
“It’s sad. Down Jondaryan Avenue, they had these lovely bushes … they’re all dead. There’s nothing left. All the expense that went into these plantings is all gone … there’s been problems with our lake, problems with Hermit’s Cave … the professionals and doctors who are coming into Griffith for the airport are not getting a good first impression.”
In response, Deputy Mayor Anne Napoli pledged action.
“I feel sad that people have to go through all the headaches of getting all these signatures to try and get council to act … I don’t know if it’s the lack of funding, having the right personnel to deal with [these issues] … we really need to do something urgently. I will hate to think that in six months’ time it will come back to council and nothing has been done,” she said.
Mayor Doug Curran said the petition was the “kick in the butt” that council needed.
“Council values community feedback and appreciates the dedication of our business owners, including Doreen Wood of Valentine Modes, who has been a part of Griffith’s retail sector for nearly 50 years,” he said.
“We understand the concerns raised and improving the CBD has been on our radar for some time. That’s why we established the Roads, Parks & Pathways Enhancement Committee, which will hold its first meeting on 26 March 2025.”
Council said the next steps would be to hold a workshop to discuss matters raised in the petition on 17 March, followed by the first meeting of the Roads, Parks & Pathways Enhancement Committee.
Ms Wood said council used to do a great job of looking after the town centre and other common trees, plants and grass in town, but standards had slipped over the past three years.
“Our city, once a beacon of vibrancy and charm, is facing a decline that is both visible and troubling. The entrances of town, which should warmly welcome visitors, are instead marred by weeds and dead shrubs,” her petition said.
“The middle block, once bustling with activity, now presents a series of empty, dirty and uninviting shopfronts.”
The businesswoman, who has run her store for 49 years, said council should be spending more on tidying up and maintaining the town, especially given the substantial rate increase it imposed on residents last year.
“I thought the council meeting went well; they all listened; they said they are going to do something about it,” Ms Wood told Region on Wednesday (12 March).
“I’m hoping it leads to action. We can’t go into more disarray; something needs to be done now.”
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