Orange mayor John Davis confirmed councillors had discussed a demolition order and, according to councillor Neil Jones, the council will require owner Eid Eid to show cause on why the step should not be taken.

Cr Jones believed once that step had been completed the council would decide on the next course of action, but councillors were unanimous in saying enough was enough.

It remains unclear who would be responsible for the demolition.

“There has been a litany of issues that go back for many years over the failure to keep the shops in a safe condition,” Cr Jones said.

“[Demolition would] enable the site to be totally clean and maintained in a tidy state.” 

Cr Jones said an inspection he completed last year revealed while the grass had been mowed, the rubbish behind the building had remained. 

“He’s welded all the doors shut, but people can still get through the roof and they can’t get back out if there’s a fire,” he said.

“At a community meeting at the beginning of November so many people who care about Glenroi said the shopping centre was a symbol of decay and a lack of responsibility towards the people of Glenroi.”

Glenroi Community Action Group members Melissa Hatton, Graeme Davidson and Joe Maric supported demolition.

“It’s an eyesore - if it was on the other side of town, it would be gone right now,” Mr Maric said.

“There’s potential in the site, but the bottom line is, who would be interested?”

Ms Hatton said it was dangerous. 

“I know kids jump on the roof, police have had to escort them home,” she said.

Owner Eid Eid said he had not received any paperwork from the council, but believed it did not have the right to ask for the building’s demolition - he has previously threatened legal action against the council if an order was issued.

With previously-announced plans to convert the site into a childcare and community centre, Mr Eid did not answer questions on whether they had progressed.

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au