A putrid odour, swarms of flies, and a slimy stain plagues the driveway of a Heritage Park property, yet no one is claiming responsibility.
Marlene and Ian Harrison have lived in their Sandford Court home for almost 30 years.
But four years ago, they noticed water seeping from the Telstra pit on their driveway and flowing onto the street.
One year ago, the water trail on the driveway turned slimy and the pit began to smell, prompting comments from neighbours and pedestrians.
The Harrisons said they frequently contacted Telstra and Logan City Council in hopes of finding a solution to the leak, but to no avail.
With both organisations “passing the buck” to the other, they said.
“We’ve been going off about this for years,” Ms Harrison said.
“People around the neighbourhood comment on how disgusting it is, and all we can say is ‘well, we’re onto the council constantly’.
“Only recently has council begun responding to us.”
Mr Harrison said council began investigating the issue this year, and since then the water had suddenly stopped seeping.
But the residue from the overflow has stained their driveway and a long brown stain lingers on the concrete.
The Telstra pit, although not currently overflowing, remains flooded and surrounded by flies.
The water inside the pit radiates heat – a symptom of sitting in the summer sun all day long – and moss is growing out of any crevice it can find.
The Harrisons’ neighbour, Debbie Saleeba, runs a daycare from her home and said the smell from the pit and the potential slip-hazard on the slimy surfacewas worrying.
“It’s dangerous,” Ms Saleeba said.
“It’s the spot where my daycare kids meet in case of a fire evacuation, but I can’t do it there anymore.
“The last couple of months I’ve had parents commenting about the smell.”
Ms Saleeba said she also contacted council about the box and was told her request would be completed by 19 March 2024.
“I care for these kids, so I’m the one who will get into trouble if something happens,” Ms Saleeba said.
“I can’t lose my business, it’s my livelihood.
“And everyone on the street takes pride in their home.”
A Logan City Council spokesperson confirmed council had investigated the issue, but suggested there was nothing it could to to resolve it.
“Logan City Council has investigated this matter in response to a customer request but is not permitted to undertake work on Telstra assets,” the spokesperson said.
“When significant rainfall occurs, the water table rises, seeps into trenches and then flows downhill until it finds a place to exit – which is a Telstra pit in this case.”
