How long is too long. When is enough, enough. Community safety is paramount. I, along with so many others, are continually asking the following questions:
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Why the skeletal remains of the dilapidated motel along Golf Course Road is not being demolished before someone is badly hurt or killed?
Why the developer is not providing security fencing around the site?
READ THE STORY: 'Too far gone': calls to demolish gold course resort
Why our city council, who provided the building permit to build the structure, are not doing anything about it?If the council don't have the power to do something, then who does and why aren't they doing it?
The issue of safety is of high concern and must be a priority when there is evidence of the general public and children accessing the site due to no security fencing or attempts to keep people out. There is definite evidence of general public access by the graffiti on the building and people have seen children playing in the building.
l myself, as a retired builder, and speaking to other builders and tradespeople from the area know that work sites like these should be fenced off to the public until the project is completed and handed over - why is that not happening?
For all the time of the construction and since, there has not been one security fence around the site. Any other building site would not be allowed to get away with this non-compliance. The structural stability of this building is deteriorating every day from our extreme weather.
Pine frames are not strong enough to withstand long- term exposure to the weather and with the added weight of a tiled roof, how long before the building collapses with the potential to badly injure or kill someone? It is time for this building to be demolished.
With the rules of litigation and professional workmanship, there would be no building company that could take on finishing this structure as their professional liability insurances would not cover what is existing. There is only one way forward and that is demolish it and move on.
The visual effects of this site must be horrendous for the people living around and near the site along with the many people attending the Horsham Golf Club and their numerous visitors.
We have heard of people criticising the Horsham Golf Club for not doing anything with '"their" building, not realising that it is a private investment and nothing to do with the club.
Visitors to the area must wonder what on earth is going on - year after year - not to mention the amount of litter being blown around the area for the last 10 years or more. This construction had ceased well before Black Saturday, and that was 10 years ago on 7th February, 2009.
A major concern is the council's lack of action. Why have a building permit if it can be extended forever? This is not allowed to happen with other builders and developers - why this developer? Should there be fines imposed or in the case of property owners with unpaid rates the land is sold by the council to recover the costs - is this something that should happen?
On September 18, 2019 the issue was raised at a Haven Community Meeting with councillors and council staff in the hall.
The safety issue was recorded in the council notes and particularly acknowledged by Cr Robinson as an issue to be followed up with some safety fencing - note still no fencing.
On November 8, 2019 I called the council to follow up the issue with Director Ms Angela Murphy but was told that the council had spoken to the developer seeking some direction - note still no action.
Come on council, it is time to make a decision. The developer might not agree with you but the community certainly will support your decision to have the building demolished.
For the record, I do feel for the developer and builder that this has happened but it is now up to the council to make a final decision so that everyone can move forward.
Hopefully in the future another developer will be able to invest in what would be an amazing asset to the Horsham Golf Club, Horsham, Haven and the community - to have a motel in this location - but the time is well and truly up for this one.
Kevin Lane, previous Arapiles Shire councillor, Haven Resident and Horsham Rural City Council ratepayer
Rail alternatives
The ongoing saga of the Overlander rail "service" and the South Australian government's apparent belief it should have its services subsidised by the Victorian taxpayer must end.
There's a simple, elegant and cost effective solution, a commuter train service between Nhill and Ararat, connecting on to Ballarat and Melbourne
It's past time for the Victorian government to reverse the catastrophic decision of the Kennett Government and return rail services to the Wimmera.
This needn't be an expensive exercise, we're not asking for a gold standard service first up but rather rolling stock that's being superseded in the state's North East to be re-assigned here.
Ground truth is better than any consultant's report and this is an opportunity for the government to get real time data on the demand for such a service and an insight into who'd use it and when.
This service will serve the communities along the line, allow easier travelling for those heading to Melbourne, offer a commuter option for those already in the Wimmera and be a service for tourists especially the fast growing cycle tourism market.
With much to gain and little to lose at an estimated $7m p.a. price tag, this basic service surely represents a project worth supporting or we could keep sending Victorian tax dollars to South Australia.
There is a groundswell of support for this concept and we'd welcome a meeting with the state government to flesh out this proposal.
Dave Lennon, Jung
City to River vote
I would hope that the councillors defer voting on the City to River issue until the new council is elected later this year.
It seems to me there is undue haste by some to lock this down before every issue has been thoroughly examined by the community instead of being forced through before most of the councillors leave, as I understand most of the councillors will not be seeking re-election.
I commend the two councillors who have tried to make sure the community is taken along with any changes to our great city.
Ron Jardine, Horsham
Have your say?
Do you have a view on the motel, rail, City to River? Or maybe there is something else you'd like to have a say on?
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