Abandoned places Melbourne: Warburton Sanitarium Factory vandalised

Young vandals are trashing the former Weet-Bix factory in Warburton, with windows smashed and walls graffitied inside the historic art deco building.

The former Warburton Weet-Bix factory is being damaged by “little shitheads” who are “wrecking” the abandoned heritage-listed building, leaving locals fuming.

Yarra Ranges Council recently announced “extensive shuttering and securing” had taken place at the art deco Sanitarium factory to keep the community safe.

It comes after residents and traders reported their despair at seeing the historic building, vacant since the factory closed in 1997, becoming more run down and vandalised.

A YouTube clip posted in April shows extensive damage inside the factory, with broken windows and graffiti on the walls.

Warburton trader Peta said it was “an absolute disgrace”.

“I used to work there when I was a young girl and it’s disgusting to look at,” she said.

“It’s little shitheads who are wrecking it.

“There’s smashed windows and graffiti and apparently the inside is an absolute nightmare.

“It’s an absolute eyesore.”

The vandalised Sanitarium Factory in Warburton. Picture: Yarra Ranges Council Facebook

Fellow Warburton trader Jennifer McCloy said it was such a shame to see the “big, beautiful” building vandalised.

“It’s just sitting there getting wrecked,” she said.

“There could be so much done with it but who knows what they are going to do.”

Ms McCloy said she had even heard of kids lighting fires inside the building.

“All it’s doing at the moment is drawing unsavoury behaviour.”

Ms McCloy suggested the site could be turned into affordable housing.

“I know it would take a lot of money because it’s been sitting there vacant for so long but if they turn it into affordable housing it could fit a lot of people – it’s a big building.”

The Sanitarium Factory Warburton in its glory days. Picture: Lost Melbourne Facebook page

McMahons Creek resident Michelle Fisher said she would like to see the council and building owners collaborate to offer apartments for low-income residents at the site, along with a community garden, play areas for children and an orchard.

“That building is a source of pride and history for the town and it’s awful to see it fall in disrepair,” she said.

A plan to create a $50 million spa resort on the site became tied up in bushfire regulation red tape in 2016 and never went ahead.

At the time, Yarra Ranges Council pleaded with the state government to intervene so the Edgewater Spa and Resort project, which included a wine and food centre, could finally go ahead but to no avail.

The Crockett Group had a permit to build the resort at the site but Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said all planning permits for the site had now lapsed and the building had “fallen into disrepair”.

“Locals through the Warburton Advancement League have got in touch with (owner) Gary Crockett and Gary has been exceptional working with the community and council to make the place safe,” Cr Child said.

The factory in 2007. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Then premier Denis Napthine visited the construction site of a new tourism destination at Warburton in 2014, on the site of the old Sanitarium factory which closed in 1997. The Premier talks with developer Gary Crocket at the site. Picture: Jason Sammon

“It might seem a bit strange that here is a community stepping up to the plate as far as a commercial property is concerned but … it is a loved site.

“It’s an icon, a heritage building and we’d just like to see it come back to its former glory.

“Probably not as an industrial site but it has all sorts of potential going into the future.

“I think that’s what the community is focused on – we just don’t like seeing it in its present state.”

Cr Child said repair works had been undertaken at the site and people were no longer able to access the building.

Warburton Sanitarium Factory. Picture: Lost Melbourne Facebook

Yarra Ranges Council planning design and development director Kath McClusky said a recent spike in building damage and illegal access has required the council to start proceedings with the landowner to have the building secured and made safe to the public.

“There have been extensive window breakages and some graffiti, however this is now being cleaned up and protected from future damage, and plans are underway for commencement of repair and restoration,” Ms McClusky said.

“Council will advocate for a careful partnering with Heritage Victoria to ensure the heritage building elements are appropriately repaired and restored.”

Ms McClusky said the council had not received any recent development proposals for the site but were advocating to the landowner to recommence this process.

The council said it was working closely with the building’s owner, the Warburton Advancement League and Heritage Victoria on the future of the factory.

“It will be a long process to restore the site. It’s important to get any plans for the building right, honouring its importance to the Warburton community and its architectural significance.

“We’re looking forward to collaborating with the community on the future of the building, once it has been safely secured.”

According to the Lost Country Victoria Facebook page, The Sanitarium was established at Warburton in 1912 and the original building had many extensions over the years. The Warburton Sanitarium Health Food Factory was established in 1925. Weet-Bix was made at the factory until it closed in 1997.‍️