Frankston Council calls for removal of low-cost apartment complex, the Ambassador

TENANTS at a low-cost apartment complex are shocked after Frankston Council called for its removal.

Frankston Council look to demolish Ambassador complex on Nepean Highway. Picture:Jason Sa

TENANTS at a low-cost apartment complex are shocked after Frankston Council called for its removal.

Residents at the Ambassador complex, which includes 110 units, said they would be left homeless if it were demolished.

“Are they going to supply the people here with government housing?” tenant Andy Raymond said.

Fellow tenants Stephanie and Ayjay said they had just signed a six-month lease and had previously been in crisis accommodation.

“We would be homeless (if the complex was demolished),” Stephanie said.

The tenants were commenting after council’s recent vote to call on the State Government to compulsorily acquire the building and demolish it.

Councillors backed a motion from Cr James Dooley saying the complex in Nepean Highway had become a “known focal point for criminal activity”.

“With no alternate plan in place to address either the issue of dereliction or criminal activity ... the only course of action is to compulsory acquire the property and demolish the complex,” it said.

The Ambassador complex features a derelict function centre at the front and former motel apartments, which are converted for low-cost housing, at the rear.

Cr Dooley said there were major issues at the complex, saying: “The traders and people who live close to it can’t stand it.”

Yet Mr Raymond said there was no criminal activity.

“It’s just normal people going about their thing,” he said.

“It’s just like any place. People have a few beers and listen to a bit of music – that’s about it.”

Landlord David Warne owns 14 units at the complex, and said council “despised” the low-cost housing.

“We have many people in our society that don’t have enough money to get by day to day,” he said.

“They are looking for low-cost accommodation.”

Mr Warne acknowledged the former function centre was derelict but said suggestions this also applied to the apartments was “rubbish”.

“They should decommission that (function centre). It’s open to vandalism and squatters. They have caused us a great deal of problems,” he said.

Complaints about persistent drug dealing and crime in the apartments had come from locals, but Mr Warne said the owners’ corporation had “well and truly” addressed this issue.

“Yes we have had problems, we acknowledge that. As we become aware of problem people, they are removed,” he said.

The Leader was unable to contact the owner of the function centre.

A State Government spokesman acknowledged a request to demolish the complex was received and it will be considered shortly.