‘Unbelievable’ stench from Buffalo restaurant and owner uncontactable seven months after project approved

PILES of rubbish and smelly water have prompted fresh calls from the community to fix Glenelg’s neglected Buffalo replica ship as soon as possible.

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PILES of rubbish and smelly water have prompted fresh calls from the community to fix the neglected Glenelg North Buffalo replica ship as soon as possible.

Site owner Troy DeYoung plans to upgrade the restaurant, including building an outdoor bar and alfresco dining area, but is yet to start work almost seven months after his $1 million project was approved.

The State Government’s planning authority granted approval on the condition that Mr DeYoung began construction within a year.

Dirty water, cracked mud and rubbish around the Buffalo restaurant in Glenelg North. Picture: Cathryn McLauchlan

Local resident Val Oldfield and her husband have noticed the Buffalo’s condition worsening on their regular walks past the site most evenings.

“It’s supposed to be an icon of Glenelg, the pride of Glenelg, and it’s a disgrace,” Mrs Oldfield said.

“I believe it’s a health hazard, the stench from it is unbelievable, there’s rubbish and the water around it is rotten.

“If something isn’t done about it soon it’s just deteriorating to such an extent there’s actually a piece that’s fallen off now being held up by rope.”

Member for Morphett Duncan McFetridge said he had been trying to organise meetings with Mr DeYoung for months.

“I’ve been getting people complaining about it but I’ve been unable to contact the owner — they seem to be invisible,” Mr McFetridge said.

“My biggest fear is vandals getting in there and burning it down.”

The Buffalo restaurant in Glenelg North last week. Picture: Cathryn McLauchlan

Mr DeYoung lodged plans for the site almost three years ago, after it had already sat vacant for two years.

He bought the restaurant from Richard Finlayson, who struggled to keep it afloat while balancing crippling maintenance costs.

Holdfast Bay Council chief executive Justin Lynch said he had been in recent contact with Mr DeYoung.

“The most recent advice from the licensee is that the development approval is moving forward and is in the final stages of engineering for the building rules consent,” he said.

Building consent follows approval for the project plan and is the final step before a developer can begin construction.

Holdfast Bay councillor Rosie Aust said the replica ship’s condition was an issue residents continued to bring up.

“It’s such a valuable site and it’s a pity it’s sat there for such a long time,” she said.

Mr DeYoung did not answer the CoastCity Weekly’s callslast week.