Brother fights to save Mario Condello’s gangland ‘war room’
THE “war room’’ used by gangster Mario Condello to meet the Carlton Crew during the gangland war is still standing despite a year-long fight with Yarra Council, which wants it demolished.
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THE “war room’’ used by gangster Mario Condello to meet the Carlton Crew during the gangland war is still standing despite a year-long fight with Yarra Council, which wants it demolished.
MOBSTER MARIO CONDELLO’S BROTHER SPILLS ON INFAMOUS SIBLING
THE MURDER OF UNDERWORLD LAWYER MARIO CONDELLO
The shed and a section of his backyard in Fitzroy North is set to be repossessed by the council despite the murdered mafia-connected figure’s brother, Enzo, claiming it will destroy his brother’s “heritage’’.
Enzo Condello, a playwright, says he is not hopeful of saving the shed from demolition even though he has been summoned to an interview with council staffers before the tiny room must be torn down.
The fibro shed, he says, is a piece of Melbourne history where he can reflect on the memory of his murdered brother, gunned down in Brighton in 2006, whose killer remains unidentified.
Gangsters such as the Moran brothers, Alphonse Gangitano, close ally Graham Kinniburgh and an assortment of mafia figures had held talks in the shed during Condello’s prime years as an organised crime figure with a law degree.
Police once found a gun in the room which now serves as a backyard shrine to his brother, who died with convictions for arson, fraud and drug trafficking.
At the time of his death he was about to be tried for conspiring to kill Carl Williams.
“It’s Mario’s heritage and memory,’’ Mr Condello said.
“I’m very upset as I’m one of the little people up against this huge council grinding machine. I don’t think I have a chance.’’
“They (Yarra Council) are threatening to demolish in this order to comply. The interview is just a formality.’’
“They have already made their decision by this order.’’
Although Mr Condello says his father, Guerino, paid the former Fitzroy Council for the land before paving and building on the laneway in 1961, he has no title or permit to prove it.
Yarra Council this month sent Mr Condello a “Notice to Schedule’’ requiring him to attend an interview at the Richmond Town Hall.
The formal interview will determine what action, if any, the council will take against Mr Condello “in relation to the alleged incident’’.
Council has warned him in writing it could issue warnings, infringements or pursue a court prosecution over the breach of its bylaws.
Almost a year ago Yarra Council demanded Mr Condello remove the rear fence and shed, which it stated was erected across a council laneway.
In its original notice, Mr Condello was told by the council the “obstructing timber fence, shed and contents’’ had to go by May 4 last year.
Mr Condello refused to remove it.
The new deadline now states Mr Condello can remedy the breach by removing the encroachment including but not limited to the shed, its contents, fencing, garden beds, vegetation and concrete from council land by March 12.
Mr Condello says the council has made up its mind to demolish.
He says the council’s order will result in him losing a third of his backyard, describing it as an “unjust, illegal possession’’.
It would also devalue the property by about $200,000, he said.