Former Queanbeyan council candidate Brent Hunter believes Crestwood needs its own residents' group.
FORMER Queanbeyan council candidate Brent Hunter believes Crestwood needs its own residents' group and he is taking the steps to turn this into reality.
The 20-year-old believes forming a group for the suburb, population 4440, is the best way to gain publicity for the area.
"The group will give Crestwood residents a collective voice and pressure the council to listen to us. The association won't weigh into neighbour disputes but will voice the concerns of the residents to resolve those concerns and make Queanbeyan a better place to live," he said.
"While we may not be a big suburb like Karabar or Jerrabomberra we are by no means less important. Our suburb provides many services and access for the rest of Queanbeyan…"
Mr Hunter had sought advice from members of the Jerrabomberra Residents Association about how to set up the group.
Currently, he is organising a flyer to promote it and gauge the interest in establishing such a community organisation.
"I have spoken to a fair few people and the response is that they seem quite keen," he said. "It'll probably be a monthly meeting, I'm still talking to some places in Queanbeyan to see where it can be held. I really hope to have 10 to 15 members as a minimum.
"I would chair the group for the first few months but I'd expect we would elect a resident once we have a smooth operation running."
Mr Hunter only had one issue on the agenda at the moment which was to address the traffic congestion in Crestwood.
However, he said he is eager to hear what other issues or suggestions residents had to improve in the area.
"The intersection of Richard Avenue and Morton Street in particular can become quite hazardous during peak school traffic times with cars being parked on all side of both streets," he said.
"It makes it quite difficult to see vehicles coming from the sides, I have personally seen car accidents as this intersection during these times more than once."
Mr Hunter said if the Crestwood Residents Group were to get up and running, he pledged to help set up similar groups in other suburbs in Queanbeyan.
Mr Hunter has said he will contest a seat on the council in the 2016 elections.Any residents with an interest in establishing the Crestwood Residents Group can contact Brent Hunter at brent.queanbeyan@hotmail.com or http://www.facebook.com/BrentHunterQueanbeyan.
