Struan Ave Mooroolbark: Calls for Yarra Ranges Council action after block fires

An outer east council says it is attempting to take action with the landowner of a trash-filled hillside block in Mooroolbark, which was the scene of a dangerous fire.

Ahmed El-Gadaa had his fence and garden damaged following a fire on an empty block on Struan Ave, Mooroolbark on February 27. Picture: Kiel Egging.

The council responsible for a block filled with trash and the scene of multiple fires in Melbourne’s outer east says the landowner is trying to evict its tenants.

Scrutiny has increased about activity on the block at Mooroolbark’s Struan Ave following a fire on February 27, which lasted for more than an hour and damaged part of a neighbouring property.

The block, which has a burnt-out caravan and a small house, is suspected of being used by squatters, and images and video on social media showed tents were visible at the time of the fire.

Yarra Ranges Council director of communities Jane Price said the situation on site was “challenging” and officers had spoken to the landowner in recent months.

She said the council’s outreach team had also had spoken with its tenants.

“The landowner is keen to work with council to clean up the property, and has been attempting to evict the tenant in line with the tenant protection legislation implemented by the State Government in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Ms Price said.

“Council’s community outreach officer is working with the current tenant, as well as the person camping in the backyard, in an effort to connect them with access to safe and accessible housing through agency support.

“Council was unaware that a person was living in a tent in the backyard of this property until we were notified about the fire on the weekend of February 26 and 27.”

Despite claims from residents of multiple complaints, Ms Price said prior to the most recent fire, it has only been contacted once since September about activity at the block.

Ten CFA units, and others from Fire Rescue Victoria, spent an hour battling the February 27 blaze, believed to have begun from burning off.

A 55-year-old man was treated for suspected smoke inhalation at the scene and taken to Maroondah Hospital for observation.

A CFA spokeswoman said the fire was “a timely reminder that people should not be burning off during the fire danger period without a permit.”

Neighbour Ahmed Al-Gadaa said there had been five fires on the block since September, with the most recent fire damaging his fence, garden and part of his spa area.

He said a caravan near his fence was destroyed in another dangerous fire on the block in January.

Mr Al-Gadaa said he had contacted Yarra Ranges Council with his concerns about the block but was yet to see any action.

The front gates to a block which was filled with hard rubbish and the scene of a fire on Struan Ave, Mooroolbark on February 27. Picture: Kiel Egging.

“When you come here and look, you can’t avoid the garbage,” he said.

“We have seen other people staying on the block … we don’t want to interfere, but now its affecting our safety and something has to be done.

“We’re not feeling safe in our house, you have to look out there and hope there isn’t a fire, you can’t relax.”

Fellow neighbour Nat, who did not give his surname, also said his family had contacted the council with concerns about the block.

He said the most recent fire was “rather worrying” and he heard “loud explosions out of nowhere”.

“There’s loud noise over there all the time … people moving stuff around,” he said.

Leader did not spot any residents on the block during a visit on Tuesday afternoon.

A Victoria police spokeswoman said the cause of the fire was yet to be determined, but officers were treating it as suspicious.

Any witnesses or anyone with information can phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000