Bunbury City councillor Michelle Steck calls for Power Boat Club building demolition amid rough sleeper stays

The “derelict” condition of the old Power Boat Club building — which has become a place to stay for rough sleepers — has led Bunbury City councillor Michelle Steck to call for its demolition, declaring it the only safe outcome for the community. Cr Steck will bring the demolition motion to the council for debate at Tuesday night’s meeting, with the issue relating to the building next to the Sykes Foreshore boat ramp on Marrabank Loop. The building had been left without a tenant since 2022 when the Power Boat Club had its lease terminated. According to Cr Steck, the last inspection was in August 2022 and in October of that year, the council received a Building Code of Australia report highlighting defects within the building. Since then, a number of rough sleepers have used the site to sleep. Cr Steck said the building’s conditions proved a “severe” risk for inhabitants. “Over the past couple of years, the building has deteriorated into an unsafe and derelict condition, demolition is the only safe outcome for the local community,” she wrote in the meeting agenda. “Currently there are several trespassers taking up residence in a now very derelict building which is also vermin infested. “Persons are living under very unsatisfactory, unsafe living conditions including violation of the (Public) Health Act.” Tuesday’s vote would not be a final decision on whether to demolish the building or not — rather whether to request the chief executive officer to report back to the council in a month’s time “clarifying the city’s risks and liabilities” with the building. As part of the motion, the city would also immediately undertake works to secure the building and resolve the vermin issue. The city would also write to Homelessness Minister John Carey and local members to request they relocate the current occupants of the building. According to the officer’s comments — which offer support for the motion — the building is owned by the city but sits on land owned by the State Government. The city has previously written to the State Government to request either a transfer with a fee or a land exchange deal. Work on a plan has already started to reduce the risk and liability to the city but any urgent action can be taken immediately, the officer wrote.