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Investor Mark Thom has scotched gossip his Fairfield
property has any connection to rumoured nudist colonies or
gang headquarters.
The rumour mill is getting out of hand, Mark Thom says,
after an alleged arson threat against his Fairfield property.
A property investor who owns student flats, Mr Thom is keen
to debunk rumours about the future of the 2741sq m site near
the Southern Motorway Fairfield on-ramp.
Mr Thom has relocated two houses to the property, which he is
renovating before renting them out.
He intends to add a third house.
His plans had nothing to do with nudists, television shows or
gangs, he said.
Rumours about the property first reached his ears about six
weeks ago.
"People were saying it was a nudist colony," Mr Thom said.
"Then someone came and asked if it was for a Mitre 10 Dream
Home show.
"At first it was funny."
But the most persistent rumour, which became increasingly
concerning, was that the houses were to be a gang
headquarters.
The Star was contacted by a concerned Fairfield resident who
had heard the Mongrel Mob owned the property and the
relocated houses.
Detective Sergeant John Hedges, of Dunedin CIB, said he had
heard the rumour and had checked it out.
The property and houses were not gang-related, Det Sgt Hedges
said.
Mr Thom is concerned about the rumour because it has taken a
nasty turn.
"I was told there was a petition being formed against it [the
property development] and that they were then going to send
someone in to burn them down," he said.
He has added security lighting.
This week he telephoned nearby Fairfield School "and
explained it was a malicious rumour".
"I can understand how the rumours started, because they were
older buildings.
"I'm renovating them to a high standard. They will be really
nice houses."
Mr Thom plans to have the first house tenanted by March.
