’Un Australian’ Coogee heritage order splits neighbours
Homeowners are embroiled in a stoush with a council over what they claim is the “un-Australian” heritage listing of their homes.
Homeowners are embroiled in a stoush with a council over what they claim is the “un-Australian” heritage listing of their homes.
Randwick Council debated furiously for more than an hour-and-a-half on Tuesday night over a proposal relating to a row of interwar properties in Dudley St, Mount St and Brook St, Coogee.
The community and council are split over whether the properties should have their heritage protected.
Andrew Kidd, who lives in one of the Dudley St homes, said the proposal was attacking the basic rights of the Australian property owner.
But other residents urged the council to protect the character and history of the area before it is gone.
Mr Kidd described it as a spot rezoning to “satisfy the whims of a few in the community”.
“It is not the way to treat property owners. It is un-Australian and attacks our basic rights. This should be of concern to everyone because it sets a precedent.”
He said his family had saved for years to buy in the area and were now looking at creating their dream home to retire in.
“The costs and the building restrictions that will apply make the property untenable,” he said.
He hired a heritage inspector who told the council meeting the homes were unremarkable and like countless others across Sydney. He said they did not meet the threshold for heritage protection.
However, a heritage report commissioned by Randwick Council found otherwise and argued they should be protected.
The report added that Mr Kidd’s home, as well as three others, were so significant that they should be listed as local heritage items — giving them a further layer of protection.
The council heard the homes had historical, social and aesthetic significance.
Tony Sheedy, who lives in the Dudley St home his father bought shortly after the Second World War, said it is vital the properties are protected.
“This is our history, this is our heritage. To not protect them is unforgivable because once they are gone, they are gone. There is no getting them back.”
Greens councillor Murray Matson, who has spearheaded the effort for heritage protection, drew comparisons to the campaign to save The Rocks.
“The same questions and arguments would have been put forward then,” he said. “It is part of what makes Coogee and Randwick the place we love. If we don’t protect them, Coogee will end up looking like any other coastal resort.”
While Cr Matson received backing from fellow councillors including Lindsay Shurey, Philipa Veitch and Tony Bowman, the support was not unanimous.
Cr Brendan Roberts, Liberals, said there was no justification and it was putting financial stress on owners.
Producing a heritage protection map at the meeting, he said: “The properties are not unique and are not deserving of being put into this heritage zone.
“I think the property owners should be left alone because this is not the last standing type of this house in the city whatsoever …. you can see we have significant protections. I’m satisfied that heritage is protected.”
Cr Harry Stavrinos, also Liberal, said there was no justification for heritage listing, describing the back of Mr Kidd’s property as “like something my uncle did back in 1965”.
“This property does not comply with heritage conservation and here we are tonight just willy nilly saying well let’s just go ahead with it. Well no. We need to conduct a proper review”.
He said the council was unfairly punishing a homeowner who had done all this due diligence.
A majority of councillors voted in favour of the heritage protection. However, a rescission motion means any decision will be delayed until next month’s council meeting.
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