Batavia Motor Inne owners meet with City of Greater Geraldton to begin discussions around future of site

Discussions between the City of Greater Geraldton and the owners of the Batavia Motor Inne site about the future of the property have started.

On Friday last week, mayor Jerry Clune, deputy mayor Natasha Colliver, and chief executive Ross McKim met with representatives from 54 Fitzgerald Street Pty Ltd to discuss plans for the site.

The area has caused much debate and angst within the community, with the derelict site proving to be an eyesore and a magnet for criminal activity and squatters for years. Most of the abandoned complex was torn down last year, and the rubble has remained on site since.

At a council meeting last month, the city approved a development application at the site which aimed to turn Wing 6, the last remaining building, into 21 short-stay apartments.

This was despite ongoing legal action between the city and the site owners, over charges relating to the alleged failure to comply with a council demolition order.

According to the city, the Batavia Motor Inne owners indicated they wanted to start works on the site soon, and were investigating the best way of removing the rubble. Mr Clune said Friday’s meeting was an informal discussion.

“We just wanted to sit down with them, to introduce ourselves, and see how we can get to some resolutions on some of these things,” he said.

“We always like the approach of actually meeting these people and seeing what common ground we can find along the way.”

While nothing firm was put on the table, Mr Clune hoped things were trending well.

“You always leave hoping that actions will come from it,” he said.

“They know us personally now, so I think that all helps with building relations so we can get through some goals.

“The meeting helped with us understanding their position and them understanding our position; hopefully we get some results.”

The Geraldton Guardian approached the owners of the Batavia Motor Inne for comment.