Hillary: Concern for people still living in a derelict hall

AFTER more than 80 families were evicted from a property they illegally stayed in on Heathcote Road, between Chatsworth and Queensburgh, in April, and moved to a hall in Hillary concerns about their safety worried residents and ward councillor, Samantha Windvogel.

Windvogel said the people still living in the hall are trying their best to find alternative accommodation.

“There are now about 10 people still staying in the hall,” she said.

In April the occupants told Queensburgh News that before the property (on Heathcote) was run down, they were renting, but because there were many fires caused by an electrical fault, the homeowner disappeared and they stayed on the property rent free.

The councillor said that they are not paying rent and occupied the property illegally.

Also read: Forceful eviction leaves 30 homeless

The hall has a ceiling that is falling apart, windows and doors that are broken and no working toilets.

The people share this open plan building with beds filling the space and a few cupboards dividing each sleeping space.

“I still stress that the hall is not suitable for anyone to stay in. There are children running around where there are stoves and electricity wires. If I had my way they wouldn’t have been living there to begin with,” she said.

The hall was built in 1957 and was previously occupied by the Hillary scout group but was closed down years back for safety reasons.

Windvogel added that she hoped something like this is never repeated.

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