105 Beaudesert Rd Moorooka: Pre-1946 character home razed by childcare centre developer
A pre-1946 character home on Brisbane’s southside has been flattened despite plans submitted to council promising only a ‘partial demolition’.
Southeast
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A Brisbane southside councillor says he is “appalled” at the razing of a pre-1946 character home on the site of a new 115-space childcare centre, despite plans lodged with council indicating the residence would only be “partially demolished”.
Previous architectural renders lodged by Local Office Architecture on behalf of Botega Property Pty Ltd show the character home at 105 Beaudesert Rd, Moorooka, taking a prominent place among the new centre.
However, images show builder BA Murphy Constructions has flattened the property; all that remains laid on the dirt is a few small sections of frame, including a bay window labelled, ‘Frames to be retained’.
According to the initial assessment report into the proposal, lodged by planners Town Planning Alliance, “the proposed development involves partial demolition to components of the existing pre-1946 dwelling house... which will be repurposed as part of the childcare centre”.
Labor’s Moorooka Ward councillor Steve Griffiths, however, said that “partial demolition is not the same as keeping just a few pieces”.
“This is an appalling treatment of a building meant to be preserved under the planning process,” he said.
“It’s been completely demolished.
“I’m very upset. Members of the community are very upset.
“This was not what was agreed to.”
He argued that if this was what was envisioned by the term “partial demolition”, then it does not pass the pub test because “the public don’t see it that way”.
Cr Griffiths accused the LNP administration of being “weak” at protecting Brisbane’s heritage.
According to the project’s conditions approved by council, “Partial demolition resulting from this approval must be in accordance with the APPROVED DRAWINGS AND DOCUMENTS (council’s emphasis) and all building work must comply with this condition.”
“Retain all existing external original fabric in the sections of the building which are not being demolished. This will include, but is not limited to, existing decorative detailing, balustrading, wall cladding, windows, doors, stairs and roof sheeting,” the conditions continue.
In a statement, Brisbane City Council confirmed they were investigating the demolition, but declined to comment further.
A spokesman from BA Murphy constructions declined to comment.
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