Spotlight back on Sandhurst home

NATIONALS Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has weighed into the issue of the abandoned former Sandhurst Boys’ Home building.

Ms Broad inspected the Finn Street site last week after several suspicious fires suspected to have been deliberately lit.

A State Government spokseperson said work to “re-secure” the site after the fires would be done as a priority and the land ultimately sold.

But before a sale can happen, consent must be given by the land’s Traditional Owners as part of the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010. Negotiations are reportedly underway.

Ms Broad said she raised the issue in parliament on 20 February this year, asking Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas to explain what was going to happen on the land, but Ms Thomas was yet to respond.

The Sandhurst Boys’ Home was built in 1956 to cater for adolescent boys with intellectual disabilities.

It was managed by the Department of Health and closed in 2016 when its 29 residents were moved to purpose-built accommodation.

“Locals are increasingly concerned about the activities at the abandoned site,” Ms Broad said. “The buildings have suffered major damage from vandalism and there is graffiti everywhere.

“Nearby residents are worried about squatters and drug deals.”

Ms Broad said the government “must come clean” about its plans for the site.

The State Government spokesperson said the fire last week caused minor damage to a shed and perimeter fencing.

“Work to re-secure the site will be undertaken as a priority,” the spokesperson said.

The Department of Transport and Planning is preparing the site for disposal after it was declared surplus to government needs.