No sign of demolition for abandoned Croydon houses getting trashed by youths

A group of abandoned and vandalised houses near Croydon’s town centre continue to be a hotbed of antisocial behaviour. And now plans to demolish them have been delayed, meaning neighbours will have to suffer longer.

One of the decaying houses on the corner of Anzac Pde and Gallipoli St in Croydon. Photo: Daniel Pockett

Abandoned and vandalised houses close to Croydon’s main shopping strip continue to be a hotbed of antisocial behaviour.

The houses, featured in Maroondah Leader in January, on the corner of Anzac St and Gallipoli Pde, are covered in graffiti tags and broken windows.

One of the abandoned and damaged houses in Croydon. Picture: Daniel Pockett

One of the homes has been damaged by fire, while the Leader understands a person died inside another in a separate incident earlier this year.

And they could be standing for a while longer, with Maroondah Council saying their demolition to make way for a townhouse development has been “placed on hold”.

Neighbour Mark Chang said he continually sees youths breaking into the houses.

“I saw kids running in there two days ago; the fence can’t keep them away and they always find a way in. As long as they are like this, they’ll keep coming,’’ he said.

“No one’s taking care of it and it needs attention.”

Nathan Hill, who runs The Croydon Project Facebook page, said at least five people had contacted him with concerns about the houses.

“What’s happening there is unacceptable,” he said. “If (Maroondah) Council are doing everything in their power to address the situation, I accept that, but it shows that this type of behaviour is allowed to continue and it’s very concerning.”

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Croydon police Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Turnbull said officers patrolled the site almost daily and had not been called to any incidents at the houses in the past month.

Maroondah Mayor Rob Steane said council officers inspected the site last Tuesday.

Cr Steane said the owners previously had a demolition timeline but recently told the council they had delayed their plans.

“Since this advice, and over the past week, the council has taken further compliance action which is a matter between the council and the property owner,” he said.

Cr Steane said officers would continue to proactively address “the serious issues emanating from this site” and work closely with Croydon police.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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