The former Mernda primary school that has sat vacant for more than two years is likely to be sold publicly after various government departments and the Whittlesea council refused to buy it.
Residents complain the site in Johnsons Road is an eyesore after years of neglect and vandalism, and want the education department to speed up the sale.
Resident Rose Xerri said that when the school closed in December, 2010, the buildings could have been used for community activities but were now beyond repair.
She said the buildings were only fit for demolition and the 2.3 hectare site was prime for development.
“There are holes in the walls and ceilings and all the windows have been broken; there’s nothing left.”
Resident Norma Bradley, who sent her three sons, now adults, to the school, said any development would be better than the “trashed” buildings.
“The plaster is smashed, the windows are smashed and the back door is flapping in the breeze,” Mrs Bradley said.
“They (department officials) should have got someone to buy it years ago.”
She said a small shopping mall with cafes would revive “old” Mernda, which had been “left to rot” while the new estates in Mernda thrived.
Mrs Bradley, a founding member of the Mernda And District Residents Association, said other options could include a retirement village or housing.
“Anything would be better than what is there,” she said.
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development spokeswoman Vanessa O’Shaughnessy said in a prepared statement that the site had been declared surplus.
“Sites declared surplus by the department are initially offered to other government departments, then to the local council, and finally to the general public – at a price determined by the Valuer-General,’’ she said.
“The first two stages of this offer process have been completed.”
Whittlesea council’s property and valuation services manager Gino Mitrione said council rejected the land after due diligence found it to be financially unviable.
