Tullamore: Mirvac sells homestead, paving way for redevelopment

Controversial plans to turn a 19th century Doncaster farming homestead into a lifestyle club appear set to proceed after the sale of the site.

An artist's impression of what the new health club and restored homestead might look like.

Developer Mirvac says the controversial plan to convert Doncaster’s Tullamore homestead into a gym will be undertaken with respect for the heritage of the site.

The move to build a country club hit a hurdle last year with objectors wanting restoration work to be carried out instead.

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COUNCIL KNOCKS BACK PROPOSAL

VCAT MEDIATION SESSION PLANNED

Manningham Council ultimately supported the project provided the building’s 19th century facade was restored.

But a VCAT mediation session was required after progress stalled when the developer objected to some of the 41 conditions the council imposed.

An early image of the Tullamore homestead, showing the original two-storey verandah to the north and west sides. Source: Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society.

The homestead, which was surrounded by farmland when it was built in 1896, was the Eastern Golf Club’s clubhouse until the course was moved to Yering when plans for the 47ha housing estate were approved in 2015.

The property has now been sold to health and lifestyle chain Next Gen, who will undertake building a pool, tennis court and gym for the members-only club.

Doncaster John Andrew was among those who preferred to see restoration work on the site rather than a redevelopment.

Mirvac spokeswoman Elysa Anderson said they were confident Next Gen would “respect the site’s heritage”.

“Next Gen has committed to ensuring facades will be visually prominent and fully restored, as well as the reinstatement of the former two-level veranda and deck and limiting the height of any new buildings,” she said.

“The iconic oak tree near the homestead will also be preserved and protected as part of the lush Tullamore landscape.”

Councillors Paul McLeish and Sophy Galbally voted in favour of the project last year provided it included heritage work but Dot Haynes said “a business opportunity was not the most important outcome”.

Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society president Eric Collyer said he believed any move to restore the homestead, rather than redevelop it, would have been supported.

“We always support any restoration work because we’ve lost so much of our heritage already.”