A derelict house in Braybrook that attracts squatters and heavy drug users has neighbours fearing for their safety.
The Hancock Crescent house has been left derelict for more than two years despite regular complaints by residents to police and Maribyrnong council.
It has been attacked by taggers and has a number of smashed windows. The yard is used as a regular dumping ground.
Neighbour Denise Meredith said the house and property had dumped rubbish, used syringes and rats, and smelled of rotting and human waste.
“It’s infested with rats,” she said.
“It’s a disgusting mess. There are squatters there; there’s no sewerage and it reeks of urine and faeces.
“Residents are frightened to live around there.”
Ms Meredith said she also feared for the health and safety of anyone squatting in the property.
“Residents have been trying to get something done and have been contacting council for some time, but nothing has been done about it,” she said.
Maribyrnong council sustainable development director Nigel Higgins said the council had received and acted on numerous complaints about the house in the past year. He said the council had issued a number of clean-up notices, which the property owners had acted on.
“But rubbish has built up again and further notices were issued on the owners,” he said. “They failed to comply and the property remained in an unsightly condition, despite a 30-day timeframe to clean it up.”
Contractors hired by the council have been working since last week to clean up the property. The council is taking legal action against the owners for failure to comply and to recoup the cost of the clean-up.
Star Weekly was unable to contact the owners.
