Neighbour calls for action over squatters at abandoned mechanics factory near Ringwood station
A neighbour of an eyesore factory in a Ringwood street filled with period homes is calling for action on the site to prevent squatters possibly returning this summer.
Outer East
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A Ringwood man fears squatters might return to an abandoned mechanics factory in his street this summer to beat the heat.
Mike Jackson is fed up with looking at the factory at 2 Thanet Court, which is next to train tracks and close to Ringwood railway station.
It is on land owned by VicTrack and is the former home of mechanic business Alpine Affaire, which repairs foreign cars and is now based in Bayswater.
Mr Jackson said the factory had been abandoned for at least four years and had attracted graffiti, rubbish and shopping trolleys. He said he saw homeless people at the factory last summer.
“Anything that could be done to level or develop the factory is better than what’s happening
at the moment,’’ he said.
“It’s attracting graffiti and decreasing the safety and amenity of the street … for the residents in the area it’s a real and close issue.”
Mr Jackson said he didn’t have anything against homeless people but felt the factory was “not the most appropriate place for them to be”.
“It’s about VicTrack’s inaction to reply and follow through with anything,” he said.
VicTrack spokeswoman Jo Mayall confirmed the organisation owned the land and it had been leased by several tenants over the years.
Ms Mayall said VicTrack was in “ongoing discussions with the previous occupants around their obligations”.
“In response to local concerns, we are taking immediate action to secure the site, and will carry out maintenance including removing graffiti and slashing vegetation,” she said.
Maroondah Mayor Mike Symon last month pledged an investigation into abandoned properties in Heathmont Village following community concerns.
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Cr Symon said the council could double the landowners annual rates due to their poor state, but the Thanet Ct factory was a non-rateable property as it was on VicTrack land.
He urged anyone who witnesses illegal activity at the factory to contact police.
Alpine Affaire owner Marty Ellul said the business was no longer involved with the Thanet Ct factory, which he said was leased under the business’ former owner Colin Stark.
Mr Stark has been contacted for comment.