Historic house safe from demolition — for now
The State Government has stepped in for the second time in a month to block demolition of Brisbane heritage landmarks, including this historic house, which has been left to rot for years.
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One of Brisbane’s most grand old properties, Lamb House at Kangaroo Point, is safe from demolition until November after the State Government imposed a stop order over it.
It is the second time in a month that Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch has used a stop order after she slapped a 60-day development ban on the Broadway Hotel at Stones Corner on July 27. It was the ninth stop order Ms Enoch has placed on the Broadway.
An initial order for heritage-listed Lamb House was issued on June 3, to prohibit any work on the property without approval.
A maximum penalty of $2,268,650 applies if stop orders are contravened.
The property has a large hole in the roof which lets in rain and squatters have used it over the years.
Significant amounts of rubbish inside and out have raised fears a fire could destroy the house.
Ms Enoch said her department took action after receiving advice in June that property owner Joy Lamb wanted to partially demolish the rambling clifftop Federation home.
“Lamb House is a significant historical property in Kangaroo Point and entered into the Queensland Heritage Register in October, 1992,” Ms Enoch said.
“Heritage specialists from the Department of Environment and Science continue to monitor the
condition of Lamb House and have been in contact with the owner and requested that essential repair works be undertaken.
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“To date these works have not yet occurred, and in early June the department received advice that there were discussions regarding the demolition of the house.
“No application for such work has been approved which is why I have issued stop orders to protect this heritage property.’’
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced in June that Council wanted to jointly buy the property, with the State Government, but Ms Lamb refuses to sell.
Real estate tycoon Kevin Seymour has also offered to buy the house and use his vast fortune to renovate it, but his overtures to Ms Lamb were also knocked back.
“The State Government’s stop work order is the strongest form of protection a government can apply to a property,’’ a Council spokeswoman said.
“Prior to stop work orders being issued, Council moved swiftly to protect the site from development through our own means.
“Council cannot resume the property.’’
Labor MP for South Brisbane, Jackie Trad, said the second stop order would reassure local residents who were passionate about protecting Lamb House.
She said it was an example of the two levels of government working together to ensure heritage sites were cared for.
“Lamb House includes a substantial 118-year-old two-storey brick home that is a rare surviving example of an intact Federation-period Brisbane residence,’’ Ms Trad said.
“We have seen too much of Brisbane’s history and heritage fall into disrepair and disappear, and we cannot stand by and witness this wonderful surviving example of Federation-period Brisbane vanish from the landscape.’’
Lamb House has also been the subject of a local authority planning instrument that was put in place to protect the property from overdevelopment.
More information on Lamb House is available on the Queensland Heritage Register at
https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=600242