Charlemont ‘spooky house’ remains unsecured, despite passing of demolition deadline

Residents living in an up-and-coming estate are frustrated that a derelict Charlemont mansion, due to be demolished, continues to pose significant safety risks.

The unoccupied derelict house on Batten Rd was due be demolished on Monday July 14. Picture: Brad Fleet

A derelict Charlemont mansion labelled as dangerous by neighbours is still standing after its owners failed to act on orders to tear it down by Monday.

Geelong council had issued a building notice for the owners of the large two-storey brick house on Batten Rd to demolish “the dwellings and outbuildings”.

The house was still standing on Wednesday, with no signs of demolition, but later in the day – after multiple queries from the Geelong Advertiser – the city said demolition works were expected to begin soon.

The city, however, did not specify any timeline for the works.

“Building Orders are in place requiring the sites to be secured and the buildings demolished,” City of Greater Geelong executive director of placemaking Tennille Bradley said.

“We’re advised that fencing will be installed shortly, and demolition contractors have been appointed.

“The owners are now working through the process to secure the necessary permits and schedule the demolition works.”

Mother of three Mariska Oberholzer, who lives adjacent to the property, said she was concerned by the inaction.

She said she had seen young people climbing on the outside of the house and throwing tiles off the roof.

“Kids get on top of the roof and it’s a double-storey house,” she said.

“I’ve stood here and I’ve watched them, and I’ve tried to signal them down, but they don’t listen.

“It’s so scary to watch. I now just go inside because I don’t want to see them fall off or through the roof.”

Ms Oberholzer said she had written to the council about the house and relayed her fears someone would get hurt.

She said she had not received a response.

“I have complained to the council about the house … they don’t seem to really want to do much,” she said.

“It’s really frustrating.”

Last month council said the municipal building surveyor had issued a building order to the owners of the property, requiring them to secure the building and restrict access to the property.

The building order also required demolition of all dwellings and outbuildings unless the owner could show cause for why this should not happen.

The property is littered with rubbish, prompting safety fears among locals. Picture: Brad Fleet

A grandmother, who declined to be named, said “everyone” in the area was fed up with the situation.

“It’s gotten worse over the school holidays, I think,” she said.

Young mother Ruby Honey, who recently moved to the area, said her car had been ransacked

“They took my handbag, passport, garage door remote and my kid’s birth certificate,” she said this month.

“It just makes you feel so unsafe.”

Ms Honey said she arrived home on another occasion to find 20 teenagers running from the derelict house about 11pm.

According to the Victorian Building Authority, failure to comply with a building order can lead to prosecution, and under the Building Act, can carry a maximum fine of up to 500 penalty units.

Originally published as Charlemont ‘spooky house’ remains unsecured, despite passing of demolition deadline