Batavia Motor Inne: Local residents watch as contractors obliterate first building, squatter faces court

Contractors wasted no time in starting to tear down the derelict eyesore that is the Batavia Motor Inne, confirming the job would be complete in a matter of weeks. Groups of cars stopped to watch in awe — and disbelief — as one of the three-storey buildings was levelled on the public holiday Monday. Bunhu Mining Marine Civils and Construction managing director Terry Danda said a few setbacks at the beginning had delayed the demolition start date, but everything was on track and looking up. “We managed to start demolition and we are hoping to complete the work in several weeks depending on the labour force, the weather and the logistics,” he said. “The first problem we encountered when we came here was there were some squatters living in here and we had to call the police to come and take them out. We’re just hoping that they wont be back before we finish the demolition. “We’re happy we’re doing this job and to make sure that everyone comes back to their peace of mind and we’ll get the job done.” City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn, who lives next door to the site, said it had been a long 13 years dealing with antisocial behaviour and crime as a neighbour. “I’m truly excited to see action being taken being taken and at the end of the day during these works over the coming weeks, a bit of dust and noise is a small price to pay for the safety of our communities children,” he said. Mr Van Styn said the owners had not submitted any plans for development with council but nonetheless it was great to finally see action on the ground. “There’s no plans before council at the moment for future use of this site, but our core focus has always been the demolition and making safe the facility which is the derelict Batavia Motor Inne,” he said. “Most squatters that are located inside this building are transient, they’re just coming here for parties and random events. There is one remaining hardcore rough sleeper who’s been moved on last night that we’re aware of.” Owners of the site — including Joe Scaffidi, the property developer husband of ex-City of Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi — have unveiled concept plans to turn the site into an office and retail hub. Other neighbours and Geraldton locals could not help but stop to film the on-site action, something they never thought would happen. The Geraldton Hotel manager Graham Phease, who operates adjacent to the Batavia Motor Inne, said he was “overwhelmingly glad” the building was being torn down. “I’ve been here 10 years. I can’t believe it’s actually happening, I’m absolutely gobsmacked,” he said. Debbie Matthews, 69, from Mahomets Flats said she moved to Geraldton 26 years ago when the hotel was “absolutely beautiful”. Ms Matthews said she would go there for a meal and visit the piano bar for a few quiet drinks and remembered the courtyard with a large swimming pool with palm trees. “It’s been this eyesore for 15 years, maybe longer, and apart from the homeless people, which I feel really sorry for because now they have no where to go, it’s been a long time coming and I’m glad to see the eyesore go,” she said. Ms Matthews said having the building knocked down would maybe solve antisocial behaviour around the area, but it will only move somewhere else and more could be done to make social housing available. “We really need to look at housing. Until they stop boarding up all the houses around Geraldton at the moment, and I think they’re making a start on them so I’ve been told, where do people go,” she said. “Hopefully now these problems stop . . . There’s been a lot of sexual assaults and all sorts of things going on in there so I’m really glad to see it go.” Matt Baxter, 42, from Tarcoola Beach has lived in Geraldton for a few years and said he heard the Batavia Motor Inne was privately owned and assaults had happened inside the site. “At the very least it’s an eyesore, but if things like (sexual assaults) can happen there, I think it’s only good it’s going down,” he said. Helen Webb, 68 from Utakarra, has lived in Geraldton for more than 40 years said she worked at the site at the hotel, which had been “a really beautiful place”. “We used to have fun at the piano bar, that was a great night out. It was a lovely hotel,” she said. Ms Webb said she was glad to see it demolished but she could not see it curing antisocial behaviour in the area. “The homeless has just been living there and it’s not right, they need places proper. I’m glad it’s going to go down and I hope they develop something there that’s nice,” she said. “I would have liked to see it re-established into something for the homeless, but it’s not going to be done that way.” Georganne Clarke, who was squatting at the abandoned building for several months, appeared via video link in Northbridge Magistrates Court, where she claimed she had property at the derelict site. The 43-year-old New Zealand woman was arrested and charged with assaulting a public officer, carrying a weapon with intent to cause fear, obstructing police and trespassing, when she allegedly refused to leave the site on Sunday. Police prosecutors claimed she had declared ownership of the Fitzgerald Street land. She was bailed to appear in court again later this month. BATAVIA MOTOR INNE’S SORDID HISTORY: PAGES 8-9