ELDERLY Homeswest tenants in Mount Hawthorn have endured their second week without plumbing as they wait for the WA housing department to fix sewers. They’re worried because they haven’t spotted any plumbers on-site in seven days.
The department’s placed portable toilets and showers in the complex’s courtyards, but the plastic facilities, designed for building sites, have no lights and there’s no hot water for the showers.
Tenant Joan Groves says she “stood there in the nick pushing and pulling” taps but the water stayed cold (the Voice couldn’t get it to work either).
“No plumbers have been seen at work for days and I would ask Colin Barnett, who is so good at digging up ground for waterworks, how would you like your elderly rellies using a portaloo or mobile shower outside at night?” Ms Groves asks.
Housing’s general manager of service delivery Steve Parry says “works have not ceased at the project” but red tape is delaying things.
“The department needed to obtain a structural engineer’s report and engaged with specialised drainage, excavation and dewatering contractors.”
He says the problem occurred when a broken sewer pipe several metres underground caused a sinkhole, requiring “major works”.
“In colloquial language the whole system’s stuffed,” Ms Groves says.
The resident closest to the sinkhole must be rehoused until works are complete.
The Voice lodged a query with the department on Monday. When we were there on Tuesday three contractors showed up to look quizzically at the problem.
Mr Parry says works were scheduled to start Thursday and plumbing is expected to be restored early next week.
He says the lack of hot water was due to circuits tripping during heavy rainfall: lighting will be installed in the loos.
As for Ms Groves, who completed a master in history to stay busy after retirement, she says she’s seen worse: “I’ve lived in the country so it’s not completely alien to me.”
by DAVID BELL
Perth Voice Interactive 
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