Perth Voice Interactive

A HISTORIC cottage in Northbridge has been trashed by squatters after being left vacant for years.

The state of the Shenton Street cottage has Museum of Perth secretary Ryan Mossny concerned it’s both a safety hazard and a sign of a broader problem with the protection of the city’s historical buildings. 

Mr Mossny said “some people have commented that it has been weeks” that squatters had been living at the property.

The City of Perth says it has been unable to contact the owners of the 1920 cottage on Shenton Street, making it difficult to get the property secured. 

“WA Police and the City made numerous attempts to contact the owner of the property, without response, in relation to the ongoing issue of trespass,” the City said in an unattributed statement to the Voice. 

The City confirmed it was first alerted to the squatters mid-January and received another complaint on the weekend.

“On Tuesday, the City of Perth’s community health team attended the property with WA Police.”

The cottage was found to be “unfit for habitation” and notices ordering the owners to board up the property were posted by the front door.

“The City then began working with WA Police and Department of Communities regarding this private property.”

Mr Mossney said “usually when this kind of thing occurs with older properties it’s because they’re heritage listed.”

“Sometimes property owners would love nothing more than to see the place go up in flames because it makes it a very good case for the demolition.”

Heritage properties have added protection and he says it’s not uncommon for owners to let a property sit until it’s beyond restoration and they can argue that the only option is a demolition order.

But Mr Mossney said “that wouldn’t be the motivation here… because the property doesn’t have any heritage protection so it really is just a mystery.”

The empty property is also a sign of another issue facing Perth; while people on low incomes are struggling to find affordable housing and homelessness is at record levels, it’s one of many homes without a tenant.

According to 2021 ABS data, 21.9 per cent of houses in Northbridge are unoccupied. 

But Mr Mossney says despite being vacant, it’s not appropriate for squatting.

“The main issue there was that there wasn’t power and water connected,” he said.

There was also the issue of how trashed the squatters had left the cottage.

by RUBY NESA-CLIPSTON