18 November 2009

Dodgy neighbours and cameras

18 November 2009 | PBO

I have a neighbour (Old Mate) who has lived in my street for as long as it has been a street. Recently a new neighbour (Big Burly Builder) has moved into the place next door, did a knock down/rebuild and built an unapproved McMansion right up to the foot path blocking everyone in the streets view, this was the first issue.

The second issue is that the new neighbour installed cameras facing into Old Mates back yard and house. When confronted about this he said that it was for his own safety and security and he then had a AVO placed against Old Mate which now restricts him going into his own backyard (WTF?).

It is going to court, but what can be done about the cameras?

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PBO9:03 am 30 Nov 09

It is good to hear another side as i have not had a chance to hear it yet. I would like to see the old days of a peaceful neighbourhood return and no neighbours fighting. My concern was the cameras facing into the other backyard because i still think that it is a source of irritation, however i will sit back and let the courts handle it.

Spideydog9:44 pm 29 Nov 09

Ahhhh, there it is, the other side of the story. There is ALWAYS a 2nd side to the story. Somewhere in the middle is the truth. Although, this version does sound a little more credible.

georgesgenitals8:58 pm 29 Nov 09

about time we heard the other side of the story.

Agreed. And not surprising, really.

BB Friend2:30 pm 29 Nov 09

For those of you who feel there maybe another side of the story or some important details missing – there is, so here are a “few” you may be interested in.

I am close to the Bid Burly Builder (who btw is a 5 foot 8 man who weighs about 80kgs). The RO that was taken out was not to protect the Big Burly Builder but his wife and two young children. This action was necessary as the Old Mate has taken to coming onto the property to verbally abuse and threaten the Big Burly Builder’s wife when she is home alone. The order was applied, and granted in a court of law, to protect Big Burly Builder’s wife and children. It was apparent that the judge, along with most of the community feels that this family has a right to feel safe within the boundaries of their home.

The camera’s were erected, in both the front and the back, to monitor the property boundaries. While ever the Old Mate is coming into the neighbouring property or making threats of violence over the fence the Big Burly Builder feels that he has no choice but to try and ensure his wife and two children are safe. It is with hope that the cameras will act as a deterrent for Old Mate which will allow the children to play safely in their own backyard without their father having to fear what they could be exposed too.

The unapproved McMansion, which is a modest 3 bedroom plus study family home (around 30 squares), is in fact approved by ACTPLA and has been for well over 12 months. The Big Burly Builder, like everyone else building a property in the ACT, was required to go through the correct channels to ensure his home was approved. This included going through public notification. The fact that the old Mate has lived in the street, since the street was a street, does not give him the right to become a bully who intimidates women and children when he does not agree or has some warped sense of reality.

This matter is again going through the courts but if the previous appearances are anything to go on the Old Mates claims will not stand up. It is such a shame that the courts, the police and the family involved can’t get on with more important things and that serial pests, such as Old Mate, are allowed to continue their behaviour. To you Old Mate I say “ leave this family alone and get a life !!!!!”

Mordd6:10 pm 28 Nov 09

I would get one of those dodgy inflatable pools mentioned in another article on here (making sure to setup proper fencing around it of course) and then get the local retirement village around for a naked pool day, every weekend, until the cameras get moved away. I bet you don’t have to do it more than once. That or shade cloth is also an option I guess.

Quote qedbynature: “I feel sorry for him having to put up with whingers and social misfits and the sooner such people get the hint and FO to Qbn the better. Canberra is for Canberrans who can afford the Macmansions and the the getaway down the coast!”

I am glad I live in Queanbeyan and not in canberra with wankers like you qed, personally I would say Canberra is for people who like living in a City with trees and an environment, if you want the Mcmansion you can FO to Sydney or the Gold Coast in my opinion, but hey, each to their own right. Thankfully Canberra has more than idiots like you living in the city though.

Hells_Bells741:53 am 21 Nov 09

a phone mobile? oops i meant camera phone lol

Hells_Bells741:52 am 21 Nov 09

*did picture scarecrows all over the backyard, they would make lovely filmstars, just ask Dorothy and Toto*

But, at the same time, think outside the square and turn creative or at least grab a phone mobile and turn it on them and inconvience their privacy at lots of different points. They will hate it and there is nothing they can do.

Hells_Bells741:47 am 21 Nov 09

Redirect your anger.. Only way to scare crows, is with scarecrows!

cleo11:33 pm 20 Nov 09

Just keep giving the neighbour brown eyes! 🙂

spinact2:49 pm 20 Nov 09

Your old mate should get some legal advice about the camera issue. The advice you get here will only be worth what you paid for it.

In regards to the unapproved McMansion, your mate should contact ACTPLA. Any development/extension etc needs their approval prior to any work starting and then needs to be ‘certified’ upon completion. I have to say that it would be a ballsy and risky enterprise to build an entire house withough approvals.

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