Two famous idiots

Southbank was in the news for the wrong reasons last month, with a spotlight shone on unauthorised high-rise rooftop access.

Reports surfaced about two teenage daredevils who accessed the Eureka Tower rooftop, but it appears the ill-considered activities have been going on for at least a year.

One of the photos posted by the Daily Mail in its report on the situation, shows the two boys, known online as The Vertical System, on the rooftop of Freshwater Place.

While the Eureka Tower Owners’ Corporation did not respond to enquiries, Peter Renner of the Freshwater Place Owners’ Corporation was more than happy to comment on the issue.

When contacted, he was not aware of the teens’ successful trespassing onto the rooftop. Upon seeing the photo he confirmed that it was taken at Freshwater Place and that, due to construction work in the area, the photo appear to have been taken a year or more ago.

Even though the news broke last month in the media, the security has been a top priority at Freshwater Place for a long time.

“Freshwater Place actively monitors its security processes to stop unauthorised access to the building,” Mr Renner said.

“Steps have been implemented which strengthen these safeguards. The safety and wellbeing of residents is a paramount consideration, along with the protection of the assets of all apartment owners. Regular meetings are held with police to discuss issues such as trespassing and public nuisance,” he said.

The recent news coverage has not impacted security at Freshwater Place, as the Owners’ Corporation’s focus has long been on striking a balance between the security of both residents and visitors, while not impeding too much on the comfort of access for their residents.

However, the stunts performed by The Vertical System highlights a new problem for the security at high-rise residential buildings, as teenagers and young adults are taking greater risks in their chase for internet fame.

In an anonymous interview with Channel 7, the pair said they were not vandals, and were just entering the buildings to take photos.

Despite this, the revelation of their hobby sparked media outrage, and a subsequent investigation by the police.

The case is currently under investigation by St Kilda Road Police. When asked about the case’s progress, Victoria Police’s media contact Belinda Nolan said there had been no updates at this point in the investigation.