Derelict church demolition underway, 33 townhouses to be built

A former homeless hotspot and a haven for criminal activity, behind Viewbank College, is being demolished after four years to make way for a $10 million development. Here’s what’s planned.

Demolition has begun on the abandoned church hall and units on Graham Rd.

Demolition has begun on a notorious hotspot for squatters, just metres away from Viewbank College, making way for a multi-million townhouse development.

The abandoned church hall and cluster of units on Graham Rd in Viewbank have been left vacant since it was bought in 2015.

Smashed windows, fire damage and covered in graffiti, the site was a camp for squatters, only 200 metres behind Viewbank College.

The abandoned buildings harboured criminal behaviour right up until the end, with a damaging fire lit the morning of May 28, just a day before a day before demolition was scheduled to begin.

The exterior of a building that squatters have taken over in Viewbank. AAP Image: James Ross

Victoria Wide Demolitions manager Chris Papaioannou said the removal process would take roughly a week and a half.

“Unfortunately this is a fire damaged property, it becomes unsafe for squatters and is a haven for drug abuse,” Mr Papaioannou said.

A permit was approved in April 2018 for the site, a $10 million development of 33 residential townhouses.

The owners, a private Chinese group, put the property on the market in 2018, but instead decided to develop the plans themselves.

Squatters in the church buildings have distressed neighbours for years and Heidelberg Leader reported on it in February of this year.

Resident Paul Haych said having squatters so close to the school was very unsafe.

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In a Facebook post celebrating the demolishment, Carol Seneca said the buildings should never have been allowed to stay abandoned for so long.

“So unsafe,” she said.

Alessandro Zuolo did not share the sentiments: “I don’t think 30 houses will look better though.”

Demolition began May 29 and will take up to two weeks.

Anyone struggling with homelessness can call 9658 9658 or visit Victorian support services.