Croydon neighbours call for demolition of tagged, abandoned houses
A cluster of vandalised and abandoned houses are being targeted as part of a graffiti-tagging epidemic gripping Croydon, frustrated neighbours say.
Outer East
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A cluster of vandalised and abandoned houses are being targeted as part of a graffiti-tagging epidemic gripping Croydon, frustrated neighbours say.
Graffiti tags and police tape can be found at the houses — one of which has been damaged by fire — on the corner of Anzac St and Gallipoli Pde, which were sold for development and have slowly deteriorated over the past 18 months.
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Croydon’s Nathan Hill, who runs The Croydon Project Facebook page, said he saw youths tagging the houses as recently as January 6.
“They (the houses) are providing a canvas for graffiti and anti-social behaviour … and as the kids move away from there, they are tagging cars, footpaths and streets,” he said.
Mr Hill said he saw the same group of up to five youths tagging cars and properties on nearby Mena Ave and Mount View St last week.
He called for Maroondah Council and Croydon police to meet and discuss a broader strategy and a “holistic approach” to tackling graffiti in Croydon.
Croydon police Senior Sergeant Graham Gooding said officers were aware of what was happening at the properties and addressing the issue.
He urged anyone who witnesses criminal behaviour at the houses or taggers around Croydon to phone police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
iTrak Real Estate’s Andrew Lawrence, who managed the sale of the site, said a change in ownership and an interim heritage overlay from Maroondah Council had prevented demolition of the houses.
Mr Lawrence said the sale was finalised last month and the new owners were doing everything they could to get the properties demolished as soon as possible.
Maroondah Mayor Rob Steane said the council requested the interim overlay in July 2017 but it lapsed following evidence of renovations and a decision to not seek permanent protection.
He said council officers would monitor the site to ensure it was safely maintained.
“While the buildings may appear to be in a state of disrepair, they are considered to be of a sound structural state,” Cr Steane said.
READER SAYS IT’S TIME TO TURF OUT TAGGERS
ELIZA GRIFFITHS, CROYDON
As a concerned resident of Croydon I think it’s time the community, police and the council make a stand against the increasing crime in the area.
Particularly concerning is the area surrounding a group of abandoned (and now squalid) houses close to Croydon railway station.
Where once stood a community of beautiful, history-rich, weatherboard homes now stands a group of dilapidated, embarrassing, crime magnet buildings.
Just in the past few months the area has been plagued with continual tagging of personal property (including an entire street of cars), to various buildings being set alight.
It is now to the point where I (and many of my neighbours) feel unsafe to walk the streets.
Croydon is in a prime position to become a stunning gem on the outskirts of Melbourne, and one in which we can all work together to improve.
The first step needs to come from the council in improving laws regarding the buying of multiple properties to develop.
I understand the need for new developments in the area, but why have these houses been allowed to stand vacant and continually vandalised for so long?
There have been multiple complaints and concerns raised over the past few years, with no resolution provided.
I am not naive in thinking crime in the area will be solved by demolishing these buildings, but perhaps if we tackle one issue at a time we can work together to make this community beautiful and safe again.
Does more need to be done to deter graffiti vandals? Have your say on Maroondah Leader’s Facebook page.
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