A BATHURST councillor wants to see state legislation changed to allow councils to demolish private properties that have fallen into a state of disrepair.
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Cr Monica Morse has been angered by the sight of two derelict properties in the Bathurst conservation heritage area at the lower end of William Street.
The homes stand either side of the main approaches to the city's bicentennial flag staff and have been vacant for more than a decade.
One home has had cyclone fencing erected around it to keep out squatters while the other is easily accessible through either the unlocked front door or any number of removed windows and wall panels.
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Cr Morse said council was unable to act on either of the homes unless they were deemed a danger to the community but she would like to see some pressure put on the owners to tidy them or remove them.
Failing that, she would like to see council given the power to raze derelict homes, a power it does not have at this stage.
"The difficulty we have as a council is that we can't tell people what to do with their property unless they become a fire hazard or a health hazard," Cr Morse said.
"But these two houses are absolutely disgusting and they stand on the main street to our flag staff.
"The homes are just falling to bits. One is so bad the owner has up fencing because it's just awful.
"And the other one, there's a gap in the front door and a hole in the fence so it's open to squatters and vermin.
"In principle, I believe council should be able to say to owners either do something with the property or we will pull it down."
The term "demolition by neglect" was coined during a debate in 2012 about the future of some historic cottages in Keppel Street that the National Trust wanted to see restored for their heritage value while the owners wanted them razed, saying they were beyond repair.
The Trust believed the owner had allowed the homes to fall into disrepair to avoid the expense of restoring them to their original condition.
Ten new townhouses now stand on the site.
Cr Morse believes there are other homes around the CBD heading for a similar fate.
"There are others I see when I'm out with the dog that are bad as well but with some money they could be brought back to something good for the community," she said.
"I have raised the issue a number of times with our heritage reference group and I'm told the law is 'this, this and this', but we should be able to stop it (the neglect) before it gets to that stage."
