St Kilda’s notorious Gatwick Hotel a hotbed of villainy

MORE than 50 serious crimes including rapes, drug dealing, and vicious assaults occurred at the notorious Gatwick Hotel in a six-month period last year.

MORE than 50 serious crimes including rapes, drug dealing, and vicious assaults occurred at the notorious Gatwick Hotel in a six-month period last year.

Leaked police data obtained by the Herald Sun shows that between January and June, the rooming house of horrors on Fitzroy St was the scene of an arson, a stabbing, two rapes, at least 19 drug offences, and aggravated burglaries.

TV SHOW THE BLOCK EYES OFF ST KILDA’S NOTORIOUS GATWICK HOTEL

NOTORIOUS GATWICK HOTELS SECRETS LAID BARE IN DOCUMENTARY

The offences came at a rate of almost two a day.

It can also be revealed that WorkSafe is considering beginning an investigation into the hotel.

Police have run recent community meetings to try to address law and order problems.

Housing Minister Martin Foley declared last night that “enough is enough”.

He said owners Yvette Kelly and Rose Banks should vacate the building.

“It’s not good for the people who live there, it’s not good for the local community,” Mr Foley said.

“They need to end this, and they need to end the speculation — they need to sell.

“They are no longer capable of running a rooming house that’s up to community standards,” Mr Foley said.

Police have run recent community meetings to try to address law and order problems at the Gatwick Hotel.

The Herald Sun recently revealed that Channel 9 is seeking to buy the property for as much as $15 million, but has yet to secure the signatures of Ms Kelly and Ms Banks.

Ms Kelly confirmed that the property was for sale, and that there had been discussions with potential buyers, but she was too busy to discuss crimes that have occurred there.

Police and the City of Port Phillip have in recent months intensified pleas to the owners to sell up and move.

The new push to redevelop the site comes as the nearby Elenara rooming house is being redeveloped to allow for 30 self-contained apartments.

The redevelopment would also allow for extra support services.

There had also been a promise of $600,000 for refurbishments if another housing group were to run operations at the Gatwick Hotel — which has not happened.

That money would now be redirected to rehousing residents should the Gatwick Hotel be sold.

A $10 million partnership has also been set up through the Port Phillip Housing Association to boost alternative crisis accommodation.

[e-mail]

@Media_Matt