By CASEY NEILL
THE Noble Park community is still waiting for action on a graffiti-ravaged abandoned primary school, almost three years after its closure.
A spokeswoman for Education Minister Martin Dixon on 4 June said the State Government would engage a demolition contractor for the Southvale site on Athol Road by the end of the month, and that demolition would start soon after.
But City of Greater Dandenong planning, design and amenity director Jody Bosman is frustrated with the school’s state and a lack of action from the State Government.
“This council is very concerned about the condition of the abandoned school buildings and site, and the potential for the site to accommodate anti-social activities,” he said.
“The council also finds unacceptable and offensive graffiti which is clearly on view to the neighbouring residents and passers-by, and which has not been removed.”
Mr Bosman said contact with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development over the past nine months included letters from the mayor and CEO to senior office holders.
“The council is really disappointed that these petitions have met with little success,” he said.
“The council would like to see the derelict buildings demolished and the site maintained to an acceptable standard.
“In the meantime, the very least that should be done is that the graffiti is removed or painted over and the derelict buildings secured.”
A spokeswoman for Mr Dixon said a contract for demolition had been signed.
“Site preparation works have begun and the demolition should commence shortly,” she said.
The State Government has declared the site surplus to education needs.
However, a spokeswoman could not confirm whether other government departments had expressed interest in using the land, or would offer it to the council.
