Above: Noble Park North residents fear long grass, fallen branches and rubbish at an abandoned school are a fire threat. By Lia Bichel
AN ABANDONED school littered with rubbish, fallen trees and long grass has become a fire threat, surrounding residents say, and they fear for their lives.
Noble Park North resident Bernard Taylor said he was terrified that if a fire was to start at the deserted Oakwood Park Primary School during the upcoming summer season, his house, and his neighbours’ houses, would go up in flames.
“The state of the primary school and the grounds is extremely dangerous,” Mr Taylor said.
“The grass is high, a tree has fallen over and branches fell. It’s ready for a serious fire. If a fire starts, my neighbour whose house is against the site’s fence wouldn’t have a dog’s chance.”
Mr Taylor, 72, said though he and fellow neighbours on Smale Court were most afraid of being affected by a serious blaze, he was also worried about the state of the building.
“There has been graffiti and rubbish on the grounds. People are using the site as a tip. It’s an eyesore,” he said.
“People are climbing on the roof and I also heard rumours that there are about three or four people sleeping there at night.
“I have lived here for 42 years and in the past 12 months the schools grounds have just deteriorated.”
Mr Taylor sent a letter to the council expressing his concern, and though the issue was in the hands of the Department of Education, Silverleaf Ward councillor indicated his support.
“Residents are genuinely concerned about the matter. They don’t want things to escalate,” Cr Kelly said.
“When places get dilapidated, people move in, vandalism occurs. We have heard other stories about schools burning down and residents are scared this could happen at Oakwood Park Primary School.”
Cr Kelly said council officers have agreed to investigate the matter.
“I am sure they will look into things immediately,” he said.
“They are very efficient.”
But Mr Taylor said he was sceptical.
“We don’t know what will happen. I’ll believe it when I see it,” he said.
The State Government did not respond to inquiries from Star before deadline.
From left: Brent Herbert, Margaret and Lindsay Tricker, Bernard and Doris Taylor, Rosa Rachele and John Cullen.
Picture: Luke Plummer
