Neighbours fed-up with the former Bradmill denim factory in Yarraville being trashed

A FACTORY site in Melbourne’s west sold for $160m for housing is being trashed by vandals holding rave parties and lighting fires.

Concerns have been raised about the lack of security at the former Bradmill factory site. Picture: Sarah Matray

DRONE racing, rave parties, suspicious fires and unsightly graffiti have taken over the former Bradmill denim factory in Yarraville, neighbours say.

The long-abandoned 24ha site, which is set to become a mini-suburb with 1500 dwellings, has become the target of unruly behaviour due to a lapse in security.

A neighbour, who didn’t want to be named for fear of retribution, said there was “no excuse” for the site to be unsecured and unsafe.

“Access to it is simply uncontrolled and it is being used for everything from drone racing to rave parties and who knows what in between,” he said.

“Of late we have seen an increasing amount of non-resident foot traffic coming to and from the buildings and increasing rubbish from parties and similar events being left in the surrounding parklands.”

Victoria Police is investigating a spate of suspicious fires that have been lit at the factory in recent months.

Emergency crews were called out on March 31 after reports of smoke in the area and arrived to find a pile of rubbish alight. The MFB was called to the factory to attend a similar incident four days earlier.

Footscray Acting Inspector Adrian Healy, who met with council last week over the escalating problem, said police would increase patrols around the site.

An artist's impression of the development at the Bradmill factory site in Yarraville.

“We have received noise complaints regarding rave parties and we are keeping an eye on it to make sure the site and surrounds are safe,” he said.

“People shouldn’t be entering in there and if they do they are putting themselves at risk and anyone caught would face trespassing charges.”

Insp Healy said abandoned factories awaiting redevelopment were being taken advantage of due to their seclusion.

“When they are left idle for some time they do become more appealing for illegally activity because people see and sense the lack of activity and seize on the opportunity,” he said.

The site, bounded by Francis St, McIvor Reserve and the Newport freight railway line, was sold last year to developer Tommy Jiang through his Fortune Property Group for more than $160 million.

The precinct, renamed the Yarraville Gardens, will also have a neighbourhood centre including two supermarkets, a restaurant, service station, library and medical centre.

Maribyrnong Council planning services director Nigel Higgins said the property was an important heritage site and must be maintained for future generations.

“We have advised the owners of our safety concerns and the risk to the heritage site,” he said.

The Fortune Property Group did not return Leader’s calls.