Locals are sick of the continued fires and vandalism at the abandoned Sandhurst Boys’ Centre in White Hills, after two fires at the site last week.
Multiple firefighting crews and emergency services responded to a blaze at the Finn Street facility just after 11am last Wednesday – in what local firies call a “spate of fires” at the site in recent times.
Local Nationals Member, Gaelle Broad, says enough is enough, the state government needs to do something about the site now.
The Sandhurst Boys’ Home was established in 1956 to cater for adolescent boys with intellectual
disabilities. It was managed by the Department of Health and closed in 2016 when the 29 residents
were moved to purpose-built residential homes.
Broad previously raised the issue in Parliament in February, asking the Minister for Health to address the issues raised by the community.
“Locals are increasingly concerned about the activities at the abandoned site,” Broad says.
“The buildings have suffered major damage from vandalism and there is graffiti everywhere.
“Nearby residents are worried about squatters and drug deals in a week where Bendigo has been
labelled the meth capital of Victoria. Now, we have fires as well!”
Police say the block of buildings has been subject to vandalism and graffiti and has “deteriorated over time”.
