COUNCILLOR Bobby Bourke has called on electricity provider Jemena to secure the Bathurst Gasworks site before someone is killed.
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Although owned by the State Government, Jemena leases the site and therefore is responsible for its upkeep.
The Russell Street site is surrounded by a fence, however Cr Bourke has found as many as six spots where people can easily gain access.
He said Bathurst Regional Council and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole have contacted Jemena on several occasions requesting the fence be repaired, but very little progress has been made.
Council received an email from Jemena on September 8, following its latest request, to notify that a contractor would undertake repairs to secure the site.
Cr Bourke has since inspected the site and found that, while some holes had been repaired, there were still sections of the fence that could be crawled under.
He said the Gasworks site has become a haven for people who want to graffiti, use drugs or binge drink and, as long as they can access the site, it is just a matter of time before someone gets killed.
It was only in 2010 that a 25-year-old man fell from a height of seven stories within the Gasworks.
He was lucky to escape with just a gash to his head and injury to his arm.
“If they are not going to do something with that building then they at least have to stop people getting in there,” Cr Bourke said.
“Over the past 12 months there has been more and more and more graffiti added. It is only a matter of time before one one of these kids – and you know they like to explore – is going to fall and get killed.”
Cr Bourke said he can understand why Jemena hasn’t done more with the building, saying the cost to restore it would be “about $2 million”, but it’s not an excuse for weak security.
“I know they won’t spend the money and touch the building, but the least they can do is secure the building,” he said.
If they are not going to do something with that building then they at least have to stop people getting in there.
- Councillor Bobby Bourke