Talk that Batavia Motor Inne squatters not leaving as preparations get under way for demolition

Demolition of the Batavia Motor Inne could only be weeks away but some squatters are refusing to leave the dilapidated building, sources say. The saga of the abandoned motel has seen the local council take legal action against previous and current owners and the site become a magnet for crime and antisocial behaviour. Some movement on the ground was finally seen this week, when fencing to secure the site started. Regional Alliance West operations manager Chris Gabelish said he heard through internal agency information demolition would begin in the coming weeks, however some squatters at the site did not want to leave. “There’s second-hand information that someone might not want to move but they really won’t have a choice,” he said. “Everyone’s going to approach it in good faith. I’d expect if someone didn’t want to move and was removed by police, they would do it in the most trauma-informed way. “What we don’t want is to criminalise the behaviour because people are homeless.” Mr Gabelish said he wouldn’t disclose what assistance was available until rough sleepers were informed and “the ducks are in line”. “It’s not something I can comment on. There’s definitely plans in place. It’s all about timing and being informed about what opportunities we can collectively come up with,” he said. Mr Gabelish said safety precautions would need to be undertaken to investigate any hazards or risks and how the contractors would mitigate them before demolition began. “I’d imagine they would need to assess the building before they can start,” he said. The owners, directors of company 54 Fitzgerald St Pty Ltd, confirmed plans were under way but would not confirm a date that demolition would start. “The directors are currently on leave, however plans for demolition are progressing as previously advised,” a spokesperson said this week.