A RUBBISH-FILLED home in North Byaduk has been demolished this week after a court order forced Southern Grampians Shire council to bring in bulldozers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Council chief executive Richard Perry said the home had been “uninhabited for some time” and was a fire risk concern for nearby residents.
“The property was overgrown and was structurally unsound and unhygienic,” Mr Perry said.
“Locally it’s well known because it’s right on the Port Fairy road.”
A council ruling in August 2011 ordered the home either be rehabilitated or face demolition.
“We waited eight months but it didn’t happen,” Mr Perry said.
He said council had worked with support agencies to bring the home up to standard but was left with no choice.
A magistrate ordered the demolition in 2012.
Mr Perry said council had been sensitive to the circumstances of the home owner but was bound to building act obligations.
“We’ve been sensitive. We didn’t rush to knock it over.”
“We haven’t received a bill. It could tally up to $10,000 in direct costs.”