54 Fitzgerald Pty Ltd: Company pleads guilty to failing to comply with demolition order at Batavia Motor Inne

The company that owns the site of the notorious Batavia Motor Inne, a derelict motel that attracted criminal activity and squatters for more than a decade, has admitted to failing to comply with a demolition order. 54 Fitzgerald Pty Ltd endorsed a plea of guilty to failing to comply with a notice served on it within a specified time on August 15. The order was issued by the City of Greater Geraldton in 2023 after the company failed to comply with a demolition order requiring every building to be demolished. Most of the site was demolished late last year, but the company, co-directed by Joe Scaffidi — a Perth property developer and husband of former City of Perth lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi — and two others, submitted a development application to turn the remaining building into 21 short-stay apartments. The development application was approved at the June council meeting. Directors did not appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday, but via video link defence counsel Robert Grayden said the order was served over a “significant and ongoing” development in Geraldton, but the company had since been compliant with the city, and works were progressing. “The company is working with the city to address any concerns they may have,” Mr Grayden said. The lawyer requested that the sentencing be adjourned for a significant period so 54 Fitzgerald Pty Ltd could continue to address any concerns and comply with the city. Prosecutor Timothy Beckett did not oppose adjourning until early 2025, saying it was “sensible” to allow the company to progress with work at the site as it would benefit the city. The matter was adjourned until December 19 for relevant paperwork to be submitted. The Batavia Motor Inne was a hotbed of crime known for antisocial behaviour, rapes, assaults and fires at the abandoned site. The city was contacted for comment.