By ANEEKA SIMONIS
THEIR eviction deadline has been extended several times, yet the alleged operators at a controversial Pakenham factory are yet to move out.
The tenants at the Bormar Drive, Pakenham factory linked to alleged illegal activity since September of last year were served with an official eviction notice on Thursday 21 July.
It’s understood they were to be out of the factory on Friday 29 July, however several cars without registration plates were among the items found behind the gates of the premises.
The Gazette has been told the eviction cut-off date has been extended several times – the most recent said to have been Wednesday 3 August.
It’s believed that was the operators’ final extension.
The factory is now believed to have been properly locked up from the operators, two of whom are facing drug charges.
Locks to the factory’s gates, shared with another trader, have also been changed, but parties are allowed access to the car park site during business owners to clear out their gear.
It will be a relief for traders when they finally see the back of the tenants.
The facility has been dubbed the “ice house” by neighbouring tenants and owners, some of whom banded together to sign a petition to push for the operators’ eviction.
Several police raids have been conducted at the site since the tenants began their lease at the site on 2 February last year.
Most seriously, a man was hospitalised with facial injuries after a violent attacker or attackers allegedly bound the man and physically assaulted him behind the garage doors.
Police charged two of the operators in their most recent raid where they seized a number of stolen goods including a car and car parts from within the premises on Thursday 7 July.
However, the men weren’t charged with offences relating to the stolen goods.
They were charged with drug-related offences.
A 25-year-old Endeavour Hills man arrested at the site was charged with theft of a motor vehicle and possessing a drug of dependence and a 24-year-old Pakenham man was also charged with possessing a drug of dependence.
Both were bailed, one to appear before the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 18 August and the other at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 7 November.
The Gazette contacted Camerons Real Estate to confirm the final eviction date. They refused to comment on the case. A two-page, 10-point petition was launched by tenants in the neighbourhood in July in a bid to evict the operators.
The Gazette can reveal Cardinia Shire Council inspected the premises at least once, but refused to comment on the nature of their investigation.
It’s thought the operators defaulted on their lease last month due to three alleged breaches relating to issues with parking, rental payment and tenants living inside the property.
