Gonville house still a problem

Gonville residents have been fighting a losing battle to get some action on an abandoned property at number 87 Hinau St that a close neighbour says is a fire risk.

There's also loose corrugated iron roofing that flaps in the wind which is another concern to the neighbour.

The Chronicle reported in 2004 that the residents reckoned 87 was a blight on their tidy neighbourhood and petitioned the council for action.

In 2010 there were more issues on the street with council discussing hearing concerns about rodent infestations and vandalism at an abandoned site. The council resolved to ask the owner to undertake "required remedial action" or it would start legal proceedings.

The council's Environmental Health staff spoke to the property owner who said he would undertake work to remedy the neighbours' concerns.

The council said it was limited in what action it could take with derelict properties, unless they were dangerous. However, the neighbours said the owner did only enough to comply, then the property reverted to its unkempt state.