By JESSE GRAHAM
THE mayor has demanded a full investigation into claims that personal belongings were stolen and burnt during a court ordered demolition.
The demolition of three sheds on James Fewster and Carol Gallagher’s Don Road property on 25 and 26 November left the Healesville couple reeling, and they claim that demolition crews destroyed their personal belongings.
The couple said that items and furniture set aside for safe-keeping were burnt or taken away by demolition crews.
In a 6 December statement submitted to council, Mr Fewster claims the demolition workers, instructed by a Yarra Ranges Council representative, over-stepped the mark in their work to demolish the sheds by clearing the lot.
The couple were invoiced $37,119 after the works had been completed.
A court order for the demolition produced by Mr Fewster, dated 23 August 2012 from Ringwood Magistrates Court, states that Mr Fewster would comply with the order by:
“ … demolishing and removing all illegal building work, being all shedding and outbuildings and buildings used for habitation currently situated in the ’old quarry site’ on the subject land.”
The court order then states that, if the works are not carried out by the due date, the Yarra Ranges Council would be authorised to carry out the works and charge the property owner accordingly.
Yarra Ranges Mayor and Ryrie Ward Councillor Fiona McAllister has demanded that the claims be investigated internally at the council.
Cr McAllister said she had met with the owners of the property and has been contacted by other witnessed to the demolition.
“We have a strong duty of care to all our community members, regardless of circumstances, and I take that very seriously,” she said.
“We want to make sure we look into it very thoroughly.”
The sheds had been used by the couple as housing over the last 15 years, and were deemed to be illegal by council, as they were not constructed with a permit.
Demolition had been delayed numerous times over recent years, with the council putting a final stay of two weeks on the demolition at its 13 August meeting.
Mr Fewster said he and Ms Gallagher had dismantled most of the shedding, but were unable to finish by the time of an inspection on 22 November.
The couple made numerous other complaints about the council representatives and demolition crews that attended the scene.
They said they would speak on the matter at the 28 January 2014 council meeting, while following the full course of the law to resolve their claims.
