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Shepparton Hotel reduced to pile of rubble

Demolished: What was the former Shepparton Hotel is now just a pile of rubble.

The last of the Shepparton Hotel came crashing to the ground on Wednesday, April 27.

The last of the red brick walls were demolished and all that remains is one small section of bricks with some pipes attached to it.

On Thursday, the site remained littered with piles of bricks and other debris.

The demolition brings to an end a saga that has seen the building sit derelict on the site since a fire ripped through it in 2007.

Gone: The former Shepparton Hotel has been demolished.

Greater Shepparton City Council issued the emergency demolition order in accordance with the Building Act in December last year.

The hotel has been linked over the years to disgraced former Shepparton councillor Milvan Muto, who engaged in a series of battles with the council over the future of the site.

The hotel has been subject to a number of stop-work orders following the removal of bricks, particularly from the internal walls, in recent years.

In July last year the council declared the building a risk to life and property and set a deadline for urgent works to shore up the building.

Pedestrians have not been able to access the footpath around the building on the corner of High and Wyndham Sts since a fence was erected by council around the building, and the footpath was closed nine months ago for public safety reasons.

Aftermath: All that remains of the former Shepparton Hotel are piles of rubble on the site.

A structural engineer who assessed the building at that time determined the demolition and removal of internal brick walls throughout the building had compromised it.

The emergency demolition order was issued after the owners failed to undertake any remedial works.

On Thursday a council spokesperson said council officers had been working closely with the demolition contractors undertaking the works to ensure the requirements of the order were being complied with satisfactorily.

“Following an on-site inspection today (Thursday) it was identified that the building is now fully demolished and the site is actively being cleared,” the spokesperson said.

“At this time, council’s municipal building surveyor is satisfied that works are being completed as required and in accordance with the current order.”

The spokesperson also confirmed there were no development applications for the land currently before council.

“Any future development of the land needs council approval,” the spokesperson said.