Protest over early removal of homes as resumption talks continue

EAST  Brisbane residents have protested against the premature removal of three Lytton Rd homes that have been resumed for Stage 1 of the Wynnum Rd Corridor Upgrade.

East Brisbane historian Geraint Gregory at two of the Lytton Rd homes ready for removal. Pictures: Brian Bennion

EAST  Brisbane residents have protested against the premature removal of three Lytton Rd homes that have been resumed for Stage 1 of the Wynnum Rd Corridor Upgrade.

As reported last week, demolition crews have already moved in to relocate the homes, despite 11 of the 48 land acquisitions required for the project yet to be finalised.

Residents from the group Lytton Road Is Wide Enough held pickets outside the homes this week. They have written to the State Government protesting against the stress caused by the council ordering demolition crews to begin work while neighbouring homes were yet to be resumed.

The group also complained about the council starting removal works before Natural Resources Minister ­Anthony Lynham had approved the resumptions.

The council confirmed 24 houses would be demolished for the project. The precinct is zoned character overlay.

A council spokeswoman said heritage assessments were completed during the preparation of Neighbourhood Plans and City Plan.

“None of these houses have heritage value and some are dilapidated with structural issues,” she said.

She said the council’s priority was preserving examples of complete street­scapes of pre-war architecture.

“However, the council recognises that, unfortunately, some homes are modified so extensively through repeated extensions and alterations over many decades that they no longer represent pre-war architecture,” she said.

“Other homes may have fallen into disrepair and be unable to be repaired.”

Councillor Jonathan Sri (The Gabba) said while some intersection upgrades were positive, the widened road would carve up the community and denigrate the character of East Brisbane.

“Most of these houses are in quite good condition and were home to low-income residents who will struggle to afford somewhere else to live in this neighbourhood,” Cr Sri said. “BCC is trapped in the past with an old-fashioned and outdated approach to traffic congestion, yet seems to have little respect for the historical character of this community.”

A resumed home at 18 Laidlaw Pde, East Brisbane, named “The Folly on Humbug Reach”.

HISTORIC RIVERSIDE PRECINCT

THE precinct being resumed for the corridor upgrade was sold by auction in 1885 as “Eskgrove Estate”.

The estate name refers to the heritage-listed Eskgrove, built in 1853, located nearby in Laidlaw Pde.

The 48 homes to be resumed are in Lytton Rd, Laidlaw Pde and Eskgrove St.

East Brisbane historian Geraint Gregory produced Post Office Directory records dating back to 1896-7 showing 12 homes on the river side of Lytton Rd and Laidlaw Pde.

One of the significant homes to be resumed, named “The Folly on Humbug Reach” (pictured above) appears to be an early Federation home complete with chimney, bullnose veranda, rounded window awnings and decorative fretwork.

Mr Gregory said the homes had been part of the streetscape for more than 100 years, some longer.

“It is so sad to think, particularly as one stands in the grounds of Hanworth House and looks up towards Canning Bridge and you see all of those tin and timber homes, homes that people have loved and lived in for many years. To see it all being destroyed is just sacrilege,” he said.