Demolition of derelict Greenough River Resort on agenda for Geraldton council

The City of Greater Geraldton is set to discuss taking legal action to demolish the derelict Greenough River Resort at Tuesday night’s agenda forum. The Greenough River Resort in Cape Burney was built in 1981 but has been vacant since the mid 2000s. It was a popular venue for weddings, birthdays and tourists for more than 20 years, providing views of the Greenough River mouth. Since it has been shut it has been heavily damaged by vandalism, including fires and extensive graffiti. The council is particularly concerned about fire spreading from the building into the dense wattle growth of the Greenough River Reserve, causing a major bush fire. It is part of the city’s wider plan to address derelict buildings, with “several sites that have been vacant for an extensive period of time”. An agenda report said the buildings had fallen into serious disrepair and “created a number of issues for both the city and the community”. It said crime in and around derelict buildings meant “council needs to take action in seeing derelict sites secured or demolished before the situation spreads”. City staff have recommended that legal action to have the site potentially demolished begin, which “could assist in mitigating potential risks to surrounding properties and the natural bushland areas”. Mayor Shane Van Styn said the action was prompted by an escalation of trouble in other derelict motels which was now occurring at the Greenough River Resort. Mr Van Styn said he could not move a motion for action on the Batavia Motor Inne because he was an adjacent landowner. “The motion is a private member’s motion; such a motion would need to be moved by other members of council,” he said. “Council has previously resolved to try and purchase the Batavia Motor Inne for demolition, however was unsuccessful in it its bid.” The city had launched a second legal bid to force action over the Batavia Motor Inne before it changed ownership last year.