Bucket tipped on Lyndhurst

By Glen Atwell
A TOXIC tip has helped Lyndhurst earn the title of one of the worst places in Australia to buy a house according to a report released by a national property expert.
Terry Ryder, author of the inaugural ‘No Go Zones’ report, listed Lyndhurst as one of 13 locations across the nation for property buyers to avoid.
But a local real estate agent has slammed the report, labelling it as out of touch with community views.
Lyndhurst, with its 180-acre toxic waste tip and strong industrial presence, was one of two Victorian locations to make the 61-page report, published by property website hotspotting.com.au.
The tip has been the subject of an ongoing debate between residents, Greater Dandenong council and operator SITA Environmental Solutions over its ability to receive thousands of tonnes of Victoria’s toxic waste while located just several kilometres from residential housing.
According to the report, the Taylors Road tip isn’t the only unappealing aspect of the area. “Lyndhurst has a lot of industrial facilities with more on the way. There is a proposed electricity terminal station and substantial areas earmarked for industrial development in addition to several large existing industrial parks. It also has a high voltage electricity transmission tower easement through the suburb, never a popular thing with those who believe they are damaging to human health,” the report reads.
Manager of First National Real Estate in Lynbrook Gary Macartney was shocked when told about Mr Ryder’s report.
“I can’t believe it’s been listed as a place to avoid,” he said.
“The area is growing and its neighbouring suburb of Lynbrook is a thriving metropolis.”
Mr Macartney said that potential buyers still asked questions about Lyndhurst’s toxic tip.
“At one stage, about a year ago, it was every second question, but that was a knee jerk reaction to the media coverage the facility was receiving. The concern wasn’t justified, buyers and vendors aren’t being driven away by the tip,” he said.
Mr Macartney also challenged the report’s claim that houses in Lyndhurst took about four or five months to sell.
“The area is stabilising in terms of demand, but our average sell time is 87 days, less than three months,” he said.
“Mr Ryder can twist figures to build a case against Lyndhurst. I rely on working and being in the area. Lyndhurst is not one of Australia’s worst places to buy.”
Mr Ryder, who has 26 years experience researching and writing on real estate, described as the report as the property market’s equivalent of the year’s worst dressed list.
“Just as the most promising property hotspots have a number of elements driving their growth, the worst no-go zones also have multiple factors detracting from their prospects. Property investors need to be vigilant because the detrimental features which can harm their investment are not always apparent, particularly with the growing trend of buying in distant locations over the internet,” Mr Ryder said.
Lyndhurst joined Shepparton, flagged for its murder rate and levels of organised crime, as the only other Victorian location on the no-go list.
Mr Ryder’s number one anti-hotspot was Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, which was blasted for its overpricing, social issues, poor infrastructure, congested roads, crime and street violence.
The report also included Darwin, Mt Isa, Esperance and Kalgoorlie as locations where property prices were excessively inflated.