Editor’s Desk: Rape, violence, drugs. . . the Batavia Motor Inne has reached the community’s breaking point

Batavia Motor Inne. Three words sure to stir a strong reaction in any Geraldton local. Every time I go past the crumbling, hazardous, derelict eyesore on Fitzgerald Street, a wave of anger, regret and sadness washes over me. Anger that successive owners have let the problem fester for this long, for longer than a decade. Regret that a prime piece of CBD land has turned into a virtual ghetto next to a primary school, residents and businesses. And sadness that there are genuine homeless people who are using the Inne for shelter, who will be left without a roof over their heads if or when the building finally goes. But for me, the breaking point was discovering about a shocking case that occurred at the Batavia Motor Inne last year. We revealed to our readers last week that Victorian man James Robert Sbresni had flown to WA after lying on his G2G pass, caught a bus to Geraldton and then repeatedly raped a 14-year-old girl he had been grooming for months over Snapchat at the derelict motel. It’s a case that is every parents’ worst nightmare, but also the community’s worst nightmare when it comes to the ongoing saga of the Batavia Motor Inne. It sends shivers down your spine knowing there was such an easy place for a predator to attack and hide out with his victim. And then there are all the other incidences of violence, drug-fuelled and antisocial behaviour that come from the Batavia. Residents have told us that they are too scared to walk in their own street. Whistles have been handed out to females in case they are attacked. A series of fires last month added a new dangerous element to this community hazard. I think most people agree that the best course of action is for the once-thriving motel and bar to be bulldozed. It’s past the point of no return. But if or when that day comes I truly hope a multi-agency plan is in place to help those genuine rough sleepers who have nowhere else to go. The State Government says they soon have more old public housing stock becoming available after being refurbished. There are more than 100 public housing properties sitting idle and vacant at present in Geraldton, so let’s hope the Government realise the sense of urgency behind the city’s need for more public housing options. Not only will there be more demand if/when Batavia is levelled, but the city is already confronted with a lengthy wait list for public housing and a tight rental market, making it impossible for some to enter. So what do the owners say? After all the council, police, welfare groups et al can say whatever they like, but the responsibility to take action for this piece of privately owned property rests with the three directors of 54 Fitzgerald Pty Ltd — property developer Joe Scaffidi (the husband of ex-City of Perth lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi), Anthony Scaffidi and Michael O’Sullivan. The owners say they met with City officials earlier this week to talk about their demolition plans. Their intention is to “progress towards site demolition in early 2023”, and are trying to secure a contractor after their first one pulled out. “In the 12 months we have owned this site we have worked solidly to focus on future uses and opportunities,” they said. “Our focus is to bring new, positive commercial opportunities to the people of Geraldton.” After so many setbacks, delays, legal tussles and excuses, many people in Geraldton remain sceptical that they will see a resolution to this mess any time soon. I sincerely hope the Batavia owners are true to the word and that early next year we will finally see some happen. If the owners want the people of Geraldton to respond to whatever “commercial opportunities” they have planned for this site, the last thing they should be doing is messing with the community’s goodwill, or what’s left of it.