Locals demand action for dilapidated property
IF YOU live locally, you may be familiar with what many have described as an eyesore on the corner of McKenzie Street and Korumburra Road, Wonthaggi.
Among its most notable features are smashed windows on the second floor and several boarded-up windows with power still active to the property. However, the property’s physical shortcomings are far from its most pressing issue, with ongoing complaints about the presence of numerous squatters.
“We’ve heard racket, loud noises... no neighbour deserves to put up with that sort of stuff,” said one concerned local, who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of retribution.
The two-storey house was recently purchased by Pearl Energy, who have big plans for the land. They intend to construct a brand-new service station, but many locals believe progress is moving too slowly, given the current state of the dilapidated property, and two neighbouring properties.
“I’ve contacted Pearl Energy multiple times, the most recent being three weeks ago,” added the concerned local. He says that while Pearl Energy has acknowledged the property, they refuse to provide specifics, simply stating that they are “working through it.”
The squatters’ activities have also drawn the attention of local police, who have been seen frequently patrolling the area around the property.
“The properties, on the north-west corner of McKenzie Street and Korumburra Road, are locations which local police are aware of, and regular proactive patrols are conducted of this area, and the wider area, to prevent crime and to ensure community safety,” a spokesperson for Bass Coast Police stated on Sunday noting the properties are privately owned.
“Referrals and other services have been provided to persons who are squatting at these properties, and no people should be squatting at any location across Bass Coast or South Gippsland.
“It is an offence to trespass, and police have and will continue to take action against any offending. Police have charged people for multiple offences and will continue to do so.
“Police will not tolerate any criminal or anti-social behaviour. If any illegal activity is observed please contact 000 at the time.”
It’s understood that at least one of the individuals squatting at the property is on bail for burglary and theft.
Locals walking past the property have also reported facing verbal abuse, and witnessed one of the male squatters on Sunday pushing a trolley down the road with a complete air conditioning system, from the property, in it – where the unit went is anyone’s guess.
The property is one of a handful around Wonthaggi that have drawn the ire of locals, with residents reporting they are now scared to walk near the properties which also include a residence in Hagelthorn Street.
The call from residents come as Victoria passed the ‘toughest bail laws in Australia’ last week.
“I have listened to victims of crime and Victorians, and I have acted. These are the toughest bail laws in the country – putting community safety above all and delivering consequences for those who break the law,” Premier Jacinta Allan said last week when the first tranche of legislation passed through parliament on Friday morning.
“These laws send the strongest possible message to offenders – clean your act up or face the consequences.”
The new bail laws, which amend the Bail Act 1977 will see a reinstatement of section 30B which was repealed by No.28/2023.
The new section 30B refers to offenders committing an indictable offence while on bail with an accused facing 30 penalty units or three months imprisonment.
Section 30A will be repealed which states ‘an accused on bail must not commit a Schedule 1 offence or Schedule 2 offence while on bail.’
Whilst residents hope these new laws may assist police in their duties, it’s unclear what they mean for the squatters, who already have significant rapt sheets to their name.
“They’re just smashing things,” nearby business owner Greg Purtle stated, noting that he has predominately been left alone by those at the property, although has many times been left to clean up rubbish in his property from the premise.
“(One day) we could hear scratching around; we couldn’t work out what it was and went out there and (one of the squatters) was digging out the footings of my workshop in the laneway.
“I asked, ‘What are you doing there, mate?’ ‘There’s precious metals here, diamonds and stuff.’ He picks up a piece of old, broken glass and shining it in the sun. He said, ‘Have a look at this, it’s a ruby.’ ‘I said, ‘It’s not really. Don’t go digging the footing away.’ And he stopped.
“It’s not going to get better. It’s awful. It’s the biggest nightmare you’ve ever seen.
“All the do-gooders want housing for people, but you can’t put these people in houses because (they’ve) already burned a couple of houses down.”
According to many residents of Wonthaggi, only time will tell before these properties succumb to fire, with firefighters having been called already to the property.
“It worries me about the workshop,” Mr Purtle said.
“I’ve got a bit of distance, but the sooner (the houses are demolished) the better.
“The ones I feel sorry for are the neighbours living here. (One resident) was in the laneway yesterday listening to the goings on and trying to calm them down. It’s just silly.”
Other residents have reported seeing people fighting on Saturday morning around 4.45am, drug deals going on at the traffic lights and squatters being arrested by police on multiple occasions.
One resident of North Wonthaggi, who used to regularly walk past the property has also reported being abused by a female on a bike outside the property.
As for the property on the corner of McKenzie Street and Korumburra Road, it is believed that Pearl Energy’s initial plans for the site were rejected by Bass Coast Shire Council. The matter was then taken to VCAT, where the decision was overturned, granting the company the go-ahead for construction.
Only time will tell if the Government’s introduction of new bail laws are strict enough to provide safety to residents in their own communities.
Pearl Energy and Bass Coast Shire Council were both contacted for comment.
