"We're fuming,'' a spokesperson for the group confirmed.

"Because government funding for a badly needed fence has apparently been withdrawn,'' the spokesperson added, perhaps unnecessarily.

The fence would have replaced a dilapidated structure that is well beyond its use by date.

"It's dangerous,'' the spoke s person continued.

"Lives are at risk.''

There was much celebration in the Struggle Street community last year when a fence replacement program was announced by the previous government. Struggle Street has received number one priority a first, long term residents say.

"We've never been number one for anything before,'' the spokesman said. "So this was a pleasant change.''

In fact planning was so advanced that a party was in the process of being organised for when the project was completed.

"The new Struggle Street fence going up would have been bigger than the Berlin Wall coming down,'' the spokesperson said, exaggerating slightly.

But that was then. The Replace the Struggle Street Fence Committee (RTSSFC) was rocked late last year when informed that the money for the construction of the badly needed new fence was no longer there.

"We've been told that it was a promise by the former government and that we can go and get nicked,'' the spokesperson explained, choking back tears. "This is a tragedy.''

However, the RTSSFC refuses to lay any blame on the new local member.

"He's been absolutely brilliant,'' the spokesperson said.

"He's working 24/7 for this community trying to organise meetings, lobbying members of his party for support, standing up for the community he's elected to look after. We couldn't be prouder of him.''

The Replace the Struggle Street Fence Committee now hopes to organise a meeting with the Minister for Building New Fences as a priority.

"We've written to him sorry, I just can't remember his name for the minute but we do want to meet with him urgently to explain our plight,'' the spokesperson continued. "Again, our local member has been steadfast in his support. Why, he's even done a survey for us. We've told him we'll go anywhere in the State to meet with the minister, but he told us the minister should come to us to see the problem first hand. We're just so glad we voted for him and not some independent. They're completely useless.''

Meanwhile remedial work is being carried out of the fence in an attempt to keep it upright. However, the spokesperson agrees it's a losing battle.

"We need a new fence. End of story,'' the spokesperson said.

Stop press: There's new hope for the fence.

"Our member has suggested that money we've been allocated to fix the pot holes in Struggle Street be diverted to the fence,'' the spokesperson explained.

"We'll be backing him to the hilt on this one.''

The local member was reluctant to comment. "I'm just looking after my constituents."

This is a fight we just have to win,'' was all he would say.