Telstra has organised contractors to attend a Gosnells site after a fence breach and reported hazards raised concerns online.
The issue was posted on a local Gosnells community platform, with claims the Telstra Exchange site on the corner of Dorothy and Hicks Street had an opening in the fence that allowed people to enter.
The post sparked strong reaction from residents, with several raising concerns about the risk of children accessing the area due to its location near a laneway and close to childcare services.
In a statement to Examiner Newspapers, a Telstra spokesperson said the company had “recently been made aware of a fence breach” at the site.
Telstra said it had organised “for a team to attend last week to remediate the hole in the fence, rectify issues at the gate and clear anything left inside”.
The spokesperson said when Telstra identifies security breaches requiring further intervention, it works with police or local government depending on the nature of the breach.
Telstra also provided reporting options for the public, including submitting a maintenance request through its facilities maintenance form, or reporting access issues through the Telstra Alarm Monitoring Centre on 1300 363 421 and selecting Option 1 at both prompts.
WA Police said property owners are encouraged to review security arrangements on their property, including signage, CCTV, lighting and trimming back vegetation.
Police said where public safety concerns exist or trespass incidents are identified, residents should contact police on 131 444, or call 000 in a life-threatening emergency.
Police said officers can issue move-on orders, issue on-the-spot fines, or as a last resort, make an arrest.
The City of Gosnells said it had not received any reports regarding the location.
A statement attributed to Acting CEO Grant Bradbrook said that depending on the hazard, the City would generally pass the report on to the property owner.
“If a hazard on private property presents an immediate risk to public safety, the City would alert Police or the Department of Fire and Emergency Services,” the statement said.
The City encouraged residents to report issues directly to agencies such as Telstra or Western Power, saying local governments have no powers to direct those agencies.
However, the city said hazards in public areas can be reported to the city by phone, email, webchat, or through the Snap Send Solve app.
The city also urged residents to avoid contact with potentially hazardous items and report them as soon as possible.
The City said it would advise Telstra that concerns had been raised about its property.
The local Examiner attended the site this week and observed that the area had been cleared, with the fence repaired and the area secured. No visible hazards were observed from the public laneway.
Telstra appreciated the issue being brought to its attention and thanked the Examiner Newspapers for raising the concerns.
