General News
29 September, 2023
Demolition 'on lies' - town's protest of anger
By CHRIS EARL CHANTS of lies were shouted through safety fencing as a Geelong demolition company knocked down Inglewood’s old ambulance station on Monday morning. Community agitation heightened when a Perry Demolition worker told more than a dozen...
By CHRIS EARL
CHANTS of lies were shouted through safety fencing as a Geelong demolition company knocked down Inglewood’s old ambulance station on Monday morning.
Community agitation heightened when a Perry Demolition worker told more than a dozen protesters there was no asbestos in the 1980s brick building.
The State Government had said asbestos was a reason for demolition of the old station built with money raised by the community.
Demolition crews and equipment started arriving at the Hospital Street site from before 7am on Monday morning.
Their start was delayed when Howard Rochester, Loddon Shire’s citizen of the year and leader of local residents campaigning to have the building retained, staged a sit-in.
Contractors called police, speaking with Mr Rochester who returned to other protesters after giving media interviews from behind the fencing now badged with demolition site signs.
The shears of Perry Demolition equipment pierced the old station roof just before 9am to chants of disapproval and calls of “lies” from protesters, some who had parked vehicles around the perimeter the previous night.
Workers were not wearing any protective clothing as dust blew from the shattering roof.
Bert Bradley, the retired bricklayer who had helped construct the station more 40 years ago, said demolition had been based “on bloody lies”.
“It’s a waste,” he said as the building crumbled.
Mr Rochester said: “We lost but (Ripon MP) Martha Haylett might lose too.
“This is community money that’s being ripped down by the Government,” he said.
“Money raised over 50 years by the ambulance auxiliary and the community ... all gone.”
The auxiliary op-shop continues to raise money to support Ambulance Victoria. It has been estimated contributions of at least $1 million have been made with some given for the old station and a residence that was demolished last year for the new multi-million dollar station.
There was also criticism of the Government’s action from viewers of the Loddon Herald’s live coverage of demolition.
Peter Ball said: “At a time when these places are needed more than ever, why demolish such a building. Has this world gone completely crazy?”
“Unfortunately an exercise in futility. Once the shiny pants at headquarters get an ‘idea’, it is near impossible to stop it. What a waste,” said Peter Williams.
Louise Bewley made her voice heard at the protest and online saying: “Absolutely disgraceful.”
Many protesters watched from the opposite side of Hospital Street as demolition continued, among them Mr Rochester who had tears in his eyes as each crunched reverberated.
Northern Victoria Region MP Gaelle Broad last month tabled a petition in State Parliament from residents wanting the old station building retained.
Ms Broad also called on Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas to put a stay on demolition until after meeting with the community.
However, those calls were ignored by Ms Thomas.
Ms Broad condemned the hasty demolition.