EXCLUSIVE: Darebin builder busted

Yesterday, Saturday, March 22, a building site was found at 7 Nicholson Avenue, Reservoir that was not following standard worksite requirements.

The editor of VicNews was approached whilst photographing this rogue building site, opposite Reservoir Secondary College, yesterday and was assaulted several times.

Police were unavailable, with the watchhouse keeper at Reservoir Police Station explaining that “all vans are out.”

“It will be several hours,” the Reservoir watchhouse keeper said on Saturday afternoon.

Discovered by accident, we were confronted by those on site and assaulted, further confirming that not everything is right on this site. One person threatened violence and we left the area.

Today, Sunday, March 23 VicNews again passed the site. No one was present, but they’d left the site fence wide open.

Finding the site unfenced and open, with no site signs, no safety warnings, and the footpath completely covered in gravel and building waste, plus smashed drainage pits and leaking water pipes from the main water supply, we investigated.

Yesterday, Saturday, March 22, Darebin City Council said they “would look into the matter.” That has not occurred.

Whilst we did not touch anything, nor interfere – as the the site was not properly fenced off – we were able to walk all over it and photograph it.

It would be very easy for someone to interfere with the infrastructure and foundations of the yet-to-be-constructed buildings.

As there was no signage of the building company present and those on site refused to give such, we were unable to contact the company or builder(s) in charge of this work site.

This rogue building site was discovered accidentally whilst passing it to cover the local North Metropolitan Cricket Association (NMCA) grand finals nearby at C.T Barling Reserve, Reservoir.

Darebin City Council has not responded to requests for comment.