Tuesday, 20 February 2024

Northern Victoria Region

Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (13:02): (672) My question on behalf of a constituent is to the Minister for Health regarding the former Sandhurst Centre in Finn Street, Bendigo. I ask the minister to explain why the government has let the site go to waste for eight years, because it is now in a state of disrepair. Locals are very concerned. A nearby resident wrote to me saying:

The place is covered in graffiti and significantly vandalised. We have had to call the police several times about drug deals occurring there.

Originally the Sandhurst Boys’ Home site was managed by the Department of Health and Human Services and closed in 2016 when residents were moved to purpose-built residential homes. Since then the property has sat idle. The buildings are now dilapidated, vandalised and covered in graffiti. Police have been called to investigate drug deals at the site, and I understand squatters have been in the buildings. Local residents feel unsafe, and the government needs to take action to address this dangerous and wasteful situation.