Coledale burnt-out homes: Tamworth Regional Council councillor Mark Rodda wants burnt-out homes removed

A Tamworth Regional Council spokesman said when a property has been burnt, the council works with a number of organisations to report, inspect, repair and in some cases demolish a building or structure.

"Council cannot comment publicly on individual properties due to privacy reasons," he said.

"But if anyone who is directly affected would like an update on a particular property they can contact the council at 6767 5555."

ELDERLY resident Margaret Driscoll was one of the first residents to move into Cossa Street, Coledale.

At least 50 years later, her well-manicured garden on what was once a quiet, suburban street is book-ended by burnt-out homes.

"It wasn't always like this, there's one at the top of the street that's burned out and one a couple of doors down the street," Mrs Driscoll said.

"Empty, burnt-out - the one down the street has been there for a couple of years, just left like it is.

"I'd like to see it done, I'm 88 and people here don't worry me, I just make sure the house is all shut up."

Dilapidated buildings are a common feature in the West Tamworth suburb, and have been a problem for Moree Plains Shire Council until recently, when it decided to demolish the buildings and send landowners the bill.

There's no reason why Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) can't do the same, councillor Mark Rodda said.

"It is a problem, as far as the issue of the clean-up, it can take a significant amount of time and there doesn't seem to be a desire for the landowner to clean-up," he said.

"There's house proud residents who don't deserve to live next to a derelict burnt-out home, and I think it presents a bad image for the community if it is left there for a significant amount of time.

"There are also issues of toxic materials and asbestos and I think we need to clean these up a lot quicker than they are, which makes that block of land available for a new residence."

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A woman was taken to hospital suffering serious burns after a fire ripped through her home on Cole Road in Coledale in April, last year.

In Moree, at least 60 properties were recently inspected on foot and by drones to give a clear picture of each home's risk, it's removal priority, structural integrity and the estimated demolition cost.

Those reports will be used to give the council an overview of the issue and highlight a list of priorities for the council to action.

The council helped remove a high priority house in December last year, but the legislative requirements, number of houses and the costs associated with demolishing them, has delayed the removal of the remaining derelict homes.

The Leader has contacted Tamworth Regional Council for comment and to determine the number of burnt-out homes.