Silo tunnel ‘locked up’

By Noel Murphy
A DANGEROUS underground playground at Geelong’s former cement works silos has been sealed off and security ramped up after the Independent found youths armed with iron bars and spray cans.
Adelaide Brighton Cement, which leases the site from VicTrack, said bolts on a metal cover to a tunnel under the silos had been reinstated after they were found deteriorated.
The tunnel had become a dark adventure playground for youths found a fortnight ago emerging from the entrance with photographs.
Graffiti vandals have covered most of the buildings with their handiwork.
A group of four, one armed with an iron bar, as well as paint spray cans told the Independent the abandoned site was a great place for teens and that “heaps of people come here’’.
“The particular tunnel entrance, from a standing back point of view, looked like it was secured,’’ an Adelaide Brighton spokesperson said.
“However, on physically checking the covering metal plate it was realised the bolts covering the metal plate had weathered and the youths were able to move the plate to get access.
“Over time, it appears the weather had weakened the bolts. This has now been repaired.”
Neighbouring residents have also complained about the derelict condition of the McCurdy Rd site, which generated flying rubbish and dust in high winds.
Adelaide Brighton has also moved to secure holes in perimeter fencing to restrict access.
The company was in ongoing talks with VicTrack regarding the site’s future, the spokesperson said.