Councillor Daniel Hayes had requested information on the management of derelict houses and buildings and while he appreciated the report, he asked if more could be done. 

“We recognise that a burnt out house or a derelict house doesn’t just stop at the boundary of that property, but the way it impacts the surrounding houses and that neighbourhood,” he said.

“Certainly the biggest frustration we hear from community members is about the length of time that we have any movement on that and that’s not necessarily the responsibility of council.”

Cr Hayes further said policies just “regurgitate” legislation and he asked why there were no suggestions on a way to change the methods to solve the issues. 

Director of environment and community services, Janice Summerhayes, said the approach by the majority of councils is to follow the legislation. 

Staff in the first instance should liaise with the property owner to discuss the particular concern and potential to rectify the issue. 

If this is unsuccessful, council can serve an order to the owner or occupier of land or premises if it is not in a safe or healthy condition.

The order requires action to be taken. 

Councillor Paul Funnell said he understood there was a limit to the degree of action council could take, but the ball has been dropped again. 

“There is a house sitting next to the Collingullie Store and it’s been derelict for 20 years,” he said.

Cr Funnell said he did not want to continue the conversation and the issue needs to be dealt with. 

Councillor Kerry Pascoe said council needs to be careful of issuing orders for house to be demolished. 

“That block of land loses its right, under our DCP and regulations, to refurbish that house onsite,” he said. “I would be careful of that situation.” 

Also during Monday night’s meeting, council approved the list of priority projects for state government funding, which is estimated to cost more than $120 million in state funding grants over the next year. 

Other projects include $4.95 million for Lake Albert foreshore remediation works to protect the bank from erosion and provide safer water access and user amenity and $350,000 for amenities at the Victory Memorial Gardens, such as a toilet block.