REGARDING the entrance gate on Grevillia Street East Road and our access road.
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I wish to advise (Leeton Shire) council that this road was fenced off in 1929 and this information was provided to us by the manager of the lands office Dick Curnow.
When we took up our property in 1965 there was only a muddy track, which was completely impassable during wet weather, therefore, we had to leave our vehicles on Almond Road and walk one kilometre across paddocks to our property.
As this road only services our farm and it is a "no through road" it should not be classified as a public road and be accessible to the public.
Originally we were advised by the council that it was a commission road and then after us having gravelled it, it was classed as a council road. Council refused to gravel or grade the road, so we have had to gravel the road ourselves at our own expense.
We have paid rates for 47 years here and apart from council grading it 15 years ago, it has never done any maintenance on it whatsoever.
It has deteriorated to the extent that it is dangerous when it is dry, as well as during wet periods.
It is more or less just a track and so narrow that two vehicles cannot pass in most places, with holes 15 to 30 centimetres deep.
There has been one death.
The late Mrs Arnold skidded and turned her car over, which resulted in her death.
Five other accidents have occurred since we moved here.
Brian Munro skidded off the road into the channel, as did Neil Garvie and an employee of Town and Country Tyres ran off the road into the channel.
There was a head-on accident with the Vanz brothers and a near head-on by myself with Neil Garvie on the blind corner.
Also, on returning one evening last year towing a horse float, I skidded and almost turned over into the channel.
If council opens up the road to the public I shall have no hesitation in suing for damages.
As previously stated, I have been paying council's rates for 47 years and it has provided no maintenance whatsoever.
Now it has the audacity to want to remove the gates on a road, which has to be fenced.
We have had it leased for grazing from Murrumbidgee Irrigation for 47 years also.
The present gate was erected under the guidance of Brett Lee.
He inspected it, told us to paint it white and to place on it a sign that said "public gate - no through road - to be closed at all times", which we compiled with.
The fence was erected by Murrumbidgee Irrigation.
The previous complaint was made 14 years ago by people who do not live on this road and have never needed access.
The complainant continues to leave the gate open and there is a major risk that our stock will stray out onto a public road.
In conclusion, we are not prepared to remove the gate, which was erected in 1929.
As explained above we have the road leased for grazing and the subject gate must be closed at all times, as depicted on the sign.
However, we may consider moving the gate and fence back about 100 metres past the complainant's gate.
Irene Clark
Leeton