Owners ignore orders to remove derelict Lilydale dome house, angering neighbours

FRUSTRATION is growing over a derelict Lilydale dome house dragging down the value of neighbouring houses, with the owners ignoring orders to remove it.

The owners of this derelict dome house in Lilydale have ignored orders to remove it, frustrating neighbours. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

NOTHING has been done about a controversial Lilydale derelict dome house, despite the owner being asked twice to show cause why it shouldn’t be demolished.

The two-dome structure on Alexandra Rd is an ongoing nightmare for neighbours Alex and Phyllis Murphy who want action on the abandoned “eyesore”, and say the house continues to attract squatters, druggies and vermin.

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Yarra Ranges social and economic development director Ali Wastie said a surveyor had issued an order on November 10, asking the owners to remove the domes.

Ms Wastie said the owner did not comply with the order so it was referred to the Victoria Building Authority.

Alex and Phyllis Murphy have lived next door to the derelict house for years. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Following Leader inquiries last week, the authority asked the surveyor to re-issue the order.

In the meantime, Mr Murphy said he had been told by a real estate agent that the ugly structure would knock thousands from the value of his house

“There are all sorts of characters in there, spray painting and cutting into the plastic,” Mr Murphy said.

“I heard a noisy couple who went up there to stickybeak say ‘Oh look, someone’s been smoking bongs’.”

Mr Murphy said the rats kept digging into his aviary and eating his canaries.

“I’m hitting 70 and I can’t sell because no one will buy it,” Mr Murphy said.

“It’s just a circus.”