Rosanna residents fight to save 1900s farmhouse

One of the oldest houses in Rosanna is set to be demolished as developers feud with the council and neighbours. Residents are frustrated about its lack of heritage status, but what is their next step?

Rosanna residents Darryl Fitzgerald, Andrew Becker, Caroline Everett, Marie Broadway, Ross Spirou and Jenny Fletcher are petitioning to get Arden Chase heritage listed Picture: Josie Hayden

A group of motivated neighbours have rallied together to protect one of Rosanna’s oldest houses from demolition.

They want to save Arden Chase, a weatherboard farmhouse with a unique tower in Arden Crescent, which has stood surprisingly untouched despite no heritage protection since it was first built in 1905.

Developers plan to demolish and replace the Edwardian property with seven townhouses.

Andrew Everett is one of the leading figures in the campaign to save the house and calls the ordeal frustrating.

Arden Chase, the house neighbours are petitioning to be protected under heritage listing. Picture: Nelson Alexander

“It survived for 115 years without heritage status, which is rare, but it now needs formal protection,” Mr Everett said.

Banyule Council denied the initial development proposal in 2018, but developers took it to VCAT where it was approved.

After neighbours banded together against the plans, a temporary heritage protection was placed on Arden Chase, which is set to lift in November.

A retail advertisement for Arden Chase in 1924. Source: Heidelberg Historical Society collection

They are gathering support for a permanent heritage listing to be placed on the property, with more than 250 signatures on a petition they will present to State Planning Minister Richard Wynne.

Cr Tom Melican voiced support for the heritage listing.

“Rosanna has very little heritage properties left, we need to do all we can to protect what we have,” Cr Melican said.

A 1930 aeriel photo of Arden Chase and the land which used to be a part of it. Source: State Library of Victoria

The developer bought the property in 2016 for $2,282,500, a far cry from the £50 Robert Munt paid for the 15 acres of land it once was in 1905.

A heritage survey conducted by the council called Arden Chase significant for its aesthetic qualities and the local landmark of the prominent tower.

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Andrew Becker has signed the petition and said he was not anti-development but there was nothing as significant in Rosanna as the farmhouse.

“There's been overwhelming support from the community, I haven’t had a knock-back from anyone I’ve spoken to,” Mr Becker said.

The petition is available to sign at the Rosanna Fire Station Community House until Sunday, August 11.