Offensive fence gone for good

BYE BYE BAD FENCE: The team from Dundowran Demolitions has removed Marie Hansen’s asbestos-ridden fence.

IT HAS been a long time in the works but Marie Hansen is finally on the road to happiness.

In fact, she is probably half way there.

You see, the source of Ms Hansen’s problems, a three-foot asbestos-laden fence, has now been removed from her back yard.

And when she gets a new structure to replace it, a huge burden will be lifted from her shoulders.

“It’s been absolutely great,” Ms Hansen said of seeing the old fence gone.

“Just knowing the process has started makes me very happy.”

It has been almost 18 months since the 74-year-old pensioner first appeared in the Chronicle explaining the problems with her insufficient old fence.

The Torquay resident was the victim of a terrifying home invasion and has on numerous occasions caught intruders in her yard, which backs on to the links mobility corridor.

A group of community-minded citizens, including Sunrise Rotary and Craig’s Fencing, rallied to help build Ms Hansen a larger and more secure fence.

But when they arrived to tear down the small corrugated iron structure, they found it riddled with asbestos.

In November last year, the Chronicle contacted licensed asbestos removal company Dundowran Demolitions and explained Ms Hansen’s plight.

The company generously agreed to remove the fence for her but endless rain and other commitments had prevented it from doing so.

Until yesterday.

“I’ve had a really hard time worrying about it,” Ms Hansen said.

“My doctor diagnosed me with depression and stress, which I’ve never had before.

“Now I’m so pleased that I will be able to feel safe again.

“My friend came over and we were pretty much watching them work and she said: ‘It’s getting exciting isn’t it?’”

Ms Hansen is eagerly awaiting the arrival of her new fence, which will allow her to finally get a proper night’s sleep.

Craig’s Fencing and Sunrise Rotary have agreed to build it for her on May 8.