Gutted squatter houses on Maroondah Highway in Ringwood could be demolished
They’re on Ringwood’s doorstep and it’s feared they are home to squatters. But these three run down houses could soon make way for a medical centre.
Outer East
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Three eyesore houses on the edge of Ringwood’s activity centre could be demolished for a medical centre and townhouses.
The run-down houses, at 284-286 and 288 Maroondah Highway are covered with graffiti tags, surrounded by fencing and suspected of housing squatters.
They are located in between the A Step Ahead childcare centre and Ambulance Victoria’s Ringwood base.
Paramedic Myles Nott said the houses had been abandoned for more than five years.
But Mr Nott said he had no concerns about their state and the houses had not had any impact on the unit’s work.
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Staff at the childcare centre declined to comment on the houses.
Readers spoke out with concerns on Maroondah Leader’s Facebook page.
Jo Fullerton said the state of the three houses was “nothing new, those houses have been squatters homes for years”, while Bobby Evans said the fencing “screams to vandals that it is unoccupied”.
Maroondah Mayor Rob Steane said the council was assessing planning applications for the two parcels of land.
Cr Steane said a medical centre was proposed at 288 Maroondah Highway, while 13 double-storey dwellings with undercover parking was planned next door.
Cr Steane said officers had inspected the houses and was working with the owners to ensure they remained secure and appropriately maintained.
But he said the council was not authorised to investigate alleged squatters and their behaviour.
“Concerns that squatters may be residing in an abandoned property is a matter for Victoria
Police and the property owner to manage,” Cr Steane said.