By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
PRIME position and left to rot, the former café and real estate office building which overlooks the Lakeside Lake is of concern to chairperson of the Lakeside Residents Group, Wendy Andrews.
Cardinia Shire Council spokesman, Paul Dunlop said the building has been vacant for some time and available for sale.
“The steps and beams are rotten, there are birds nesting in the light fittings, the sign has fallen down along with graffiti and if anyone stepped on the steps and fell through who would be responsible for their injuries?” Ms Andrews said.
“Anyone can walk onto it and walk on the steps, which is a safety problem in its self,” she said.
The maintenance of the privately owned building is currently the responsibility of the owner.
“There are people prepared to buy it and do something with it but as it deteriorates it is worth less and the owner wants way more than it is worth,” she said.
Mr Dunlop said the council has inspected the building and will contact the owner to recommend remedial works.
“There are some maintenance issues and while the overall condition of the building is not considered to pose an immediate threat to public safety, there are certainly a couple of things that need to be fixed up,” he said.
Ms Andrews said she would like to see the entire area fenced off.
“It may be private land but it’s not fenced off and is fully accessible to the public,” she said.
“I take into consideration what residents tell me and I feel a sense of responsibility in following up these sorts of concerns.”
“I live here and I like to see nice things,” she said.
Ms Andrews believes the café has been empty for three years and the adjoining building five years. “I think there are a lot of people that have mentioned it for a long time, it’s becoming dangerous and dilapidated.”
Ms Andrews approached the council in early February and was told to draw up a petition and send it to the minister for planning and development.
“The council send notices to have the grass cut, beams stick out from the roof and hundreds of people use that walk way right into the evening, I’d like to see it sold to a responsible owner who will turn it into a facility we can all make use of,” she said.
Mr Dunlop said the council will be following up with the owner of the building to ensure maintenance works are carried out.
