What the community wants to do with the art at popular ‘windmill house’ before it’s demolished

Ballina council has approved demolition, while the property’s new owner declined to comment on his plans for the artwork.

WINDMILL HOUSE: Generations of people of stopped to admire this house at 58 Shelley Beach Rd, Ballina which was decorated by former owner Peter Gutter with quirky tiled and decorated objects.

Ballina Shire Council has officially approved the bulldozing of the current building at 58 Shelly Beach Rd, East Ballina.

Also known as the popular ‘windmill house’, the beachside property will soon become a thing of the past.

The new Sydney landowner who purchased the property three years ago declined to comment on his plans for the site and the artwork still remaining at the property.

Last week, the son and grandson of artist Pieter Gutter said they have kept some of the most memorable pieces of the home, and told about their memories from growing up in the area.

“It would be nice if there was an opportunity (for some of the art) to be preserved, but as a family we understand that you have to be philosophical about things and realise that some things are just not going to stay on forever,” Pieter’s son Anton Gutter said.

Northern Rivers residents, who live or lived in Ballina, have expressed on social media their desire for part of what is left on the site to be kept as a valuable part of Ballina’s history.

Linda Donnelly said “I always drove my elderly Dutch friend past that house … it is iconic in Ballina”.

“Maybe the developer could donate the lighthouse and windmills to the Ballina Historical Society for them to display and some photo of the house,” suggested Emma-Lea Roberts.

Craig Johnson reminisced about living next door to the popular home.

“Peter and his family were an absolute pleasure to live next door to,” he said.

“I remember growing up and watching him create most of those. Truly a gifted man.”

Steve Morrissey added he was sad to see it go.

“It is very nostalgic seeing that place.

“It‘s a no-brainer that the minute the place was sold, that it would be a developer’s first order to rip it down though.

“Hopefully the windmills will be put somewhere else as a memento of Ballina’s history.”

Generations of residents and visitors stopped to admire the quirky home, which was decorated over the years by Pieter Gutter.

The 727 sqm property was sold for $1.4 million in 2018.