Editor’s Desk: Why the community is breathing a collective sigh of relief with Batavia Motor Inne demolition

Mark it down. Sunday, September 24 — the day countless people in Geraldton thought would never come.

The start of demolition of the community eyesore, hellhole, cesspit (whatever you want to call it) that is the Batavia Motor Inne.

In just five days of demolition, the contractors have already made impressive progress in knocking down the derelict complex.

It’s almost like the community has exhaled a collective sigh of relief that this process has started, in the hope that it will help reduce the antisocial and criminal element the abandoned motel regularly attracted. Locals felt wary of walking down the street and passers-by shuddered every time they glimpsed the state of disrepair.

The Batavia Motor Inne has had a turbulent history. The 50-year-old complex was once a popular bar and wedding venue, with long-time locals reminiscing about the halcyon days of drinking at the piano bar or working at the Fitzgerald Street motel when it was a thriving business.

But after decades of neglect, everyone in Geraldton, besides the rough sleepers and itinerants using the Batavia for shelter or their criminal playground, wanted to see the eyesore gone.

A string of sex attacks, including some against young girls, committed at the derelict motel only put more heat on the owners to do something about it.

Selfishly, I’m extra happy about the demo finally starting as the top prediction in a new year opinion piece I wrote speculating about what 2023 would bring was that the Batavia would finally be flattened and reduced to rubble. It means I got at least one prediction right.

Within a matter of weeks, the Batavia will be gone and the site will be cleared.

Everything up until now has been drawn-out. The site was finally fenced off earlier this year. The Geraldton Guardian reported months ago that the owners’ preferred contractor did not have the appropriate licence, which delayed the demolition process. It has taken months for community service providers and police to move squatters on and find alternative accommodation for those genuine cases of homelessness.

But correspondence sent to residents by the owners a couple of weeks ago indicated demolition was imminent. A healthy dose of scepticism remained until the sight of diggers and demolition crews on scene on Sunday.

After demolition, attention will turn to what will take its place. While no development applications have been lodged as yet, the owners have already unveiled concept plans to turn the 10,500sqm site into a major new office and retail hub.

Expressions of interest have already been sought for office and retail leases at the new development.

How long this development will take is anyone’s guess. The owners of the site — including property developer Joe Scaffidi, the husband of ex-Perth lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi and two co-directors — have been notoriously tight-lipped.

But with Mr Scaffidi seen on site on Thursday, perhaps progress will move quicker than anticipated.

But for now, seeing the site levelled will be enough for many Geraldton locals.