Gardener's Viral Clean-Up Exposes Council Neglect in Bidwill
A Western Sydney council is defending itself against allegations of neglecting one of its suburbs, following a viral gardener's efforts to clean up overgrown streets and rubbish-strewn laneways at no cost. The situation in Bidwill, where grass grew uncontrollably and back streets resembled scrap heaps, prompted Nathan Stafford, owner of Nathan's Lawns and Gardens, to take action.
"I'm nearly two metres tall, but as you can see, that's up to my head. It's not good enough, to be quite honest," Stafford remarked, highlighting the severe overgrowth. After receiving desperate calls from residents, he dedicated approximately six hours this week to tidying the suburb, focusing on areas typically maintained by council, such as drains, parks, and pathways.
Community Outcry and Social Media Spotlight
Stafford has leveraged his millions of social media followers to call out Blacktown Council, contrasting Bidwill's condition with neighboring areas. "You drive five kilometres any direction and they're looking good," he stated. Local residents echoed his concerns, with one noting, "Bidwill itself, yeah, needs some work done. I haven't seen council for a while."
His efforts have turned him into a local hero, with one resident praising, "Brilliant. I actually watch him all the time, so I think he's doing a great job." Following the viral video of a laneway cleanup, Blacktown Council announced it is reviewing the area's maintenance plan and will address any necessary work.
Council's Response and Ongoing Challenges
Mayor Brad Bunting was unavailable for comment on Friday, but in a statement to 7NEWS, the council explained, "As our population grows, so do maintenance challenges. Council regularly mows 38 public sites across Bidwill but does not have the resources to mow nature strips." Stafford remains undeterred, vowing, "I'll keep making noise. That's what I do," as the community awaits further action from local authorities.
