Drug den next to Vermont Secondary worrying parents, school

A VicRoads-owned house acquired in Vermont years ago for the Healesville Freeway — which never eventuated — has been left to rot as a squalid “drug den” and party hotspot for youths.

The house at 67 Morack Rd Vermont has become a hotspot for drinking and drug taking.

Youths are meeting at a ramshackle abandoned house next to an eastern suburbs high school to drink and do drugs.

The trashed house at 67 Morack Rd, next to Vermont Secondary College, has become a popular hangout, with bongs, cigarette butts, bottles and cans littered among the rubble.

The house and neighbouring shed have been fenced off before planned demolition, but that hasn’t stopped youths breaking in.

The house has lain abandoned since VicRoads acquired its years ago for the planned Healesville Freeway, which never eventuated.

Forest Hill Police Acting Sergeant Sloane Willing said police were aware of young people using the house and had been patrolling regularly.

Bongs and other drug paraphernalia have been found inside the derelict house.

“We’ve had several reports about youths hanging around that property,” he said.

Vermont Secondary College assistant principal Mike Stevens said the school was “very concerned” about the house, and had warned students not to go there.

He said the house was a health and safety risk, and its crumbling walls were riddled with asbestos, and drug paraphernalia lying around.

“It’s just revolting,” he said.

The house has been severely vandalised.

“Who knows who goes in there on the weekends.”

Mr Stevens said he had checked the house a number of times, found plenty of evidence people were frequenting it, and there was “plenty of drug paraphernalia”.

He said school leaders had been waiting for the house to be demolished for 18 months and was frustrated and concerned by the delay.

Burnt-out items in the property’s fireplace.

A Vermont Secondary College parent, who declined to be named, said she had been alarmed to see two students, aged 15 and 16, taking bags into the house last week.

After looking inside, she has been left feeling “sick” it was so close to the school.

“It looks like a drug hangout,” she said.

The house is behind temporary fencing, but a gap in the fence allows anyone to enter.

“It’s clearly being used for drugs.”

“The thought of my kid being in there — let alone anyone else’s child — has made me feel ill,” she said.

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But there is hope the house, which VicRoads acquired years ago for the Healesville Freeway, will finally be demolished.

67 Morack Rd is on the edge of Vermont Secondary School.

VicRoads acting manager land and property Brad George said the property had been handed to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to become open space.

“We have been working with the department to remove the Public Acquisition Overlay to enable the demolition of the structures on site,” he said.

Mr George said the overlay was expected to be removed by the end of July and the buildings would be demolished the week after.

Whitehorse Council general manager city development Jeff Green said the council had referred complaints about “anti-social behaviour at the property” onto the property owner and Victoria Police.