Lifestyle Fitness gym in Wheelers Hill trashed by vandals

VANDALS have trashed a derelict gym in Wheelers Hill, smashing windows and walls and covering it in graffiti and litter.

Daniel Ryan outside the abandoned Lifestyle gym, which he wants torn down. Picture: Andy Brownbill

• Shopping centre told to move ‘drug den’ bus
• Vandals leave prized pool a shocking mess
• $35m housing plan for former gym site

A DERELICT gym in Wheelers Hill has become a haven for vandals with neighbours calling on the developer to knock it down.

The former Lifestyle Fitness gym, which closed a year ago, has been trashed with graffiti, smashed windows and walls, and floors covered in litter.

Developer Jells Hill Pty Ltd, which owns the building, has submitted plans to Monash Council for the site at the corner of Ferntree Gully and Jells roads to become a townhouse and apartment complex.

Daniel Ryan, who lives nearby, said the gym was an “eyesore”.

“The council needs to urge the developer to demolish this derelict site immediately,” Mr Ryan said.

The gym has been closed since last year.

Some of the damage to the gym.

“In light of the abandoned bus (at Wheelers Hill Shopping Centre) being used as a drug den the building needs to be fenced-off and become more secured.”

Mr Ryan said he had seen trespassers entering the gym.

“I’ve seen people coming and going at all hours of the night and they are definitely suspicious looking characters,” he said.

He said he was concerned about the safety of neighbours and hundreds of schoolchildren who walked past every day.

Vandals have broken into the empty building. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The land is earmarked to be developed. Picture: Andy Brownbill

When the Monash Leader visited the site this week, there were empty beer bottles, graffiti-covered walls, mounds of rubbish and fixtures strewn across the floor.

It appeared people had been using it as a place to sleep and drink.

The Monash Leader found that most of the hoarding was intact but several sections had been damaged allowing easy access into the building.

Monash Mayor Rebecca Paterson said the council had received two complaints about the site.

“A building officer inspected the site on May 23 and issued an emergency order to the land owner ... to secure the building within seven days,” Cr Paterson said.

An artist's impression of the $35 million development planned for the site.

She said the council visited the site on July 19 and found a small section of the hoarding had been damaged and a glass door been smashed.

“Council contacted the owner’s representative about this breach and they were given 24 hours to fix the hoarding. We will reinspect the property on Friday, July 21.”

Cr Paterson said the planning application for this site was still being considered by council officers and a decision would be made later this year.

“It is up to the owner to decide when, and if, the building will be knocked down. At this stage, there is no date set,” she said.

Jells Hill Pty Ltd could not be reached for comment.