Mid-century modern homes: anger after another significant beachside property demolished
Another architecturally significant mid-century Beaumaris home has been bulldozed but an action group fears many more could bite the dust unless immediate heritage protection is applied.
Inner South
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Bayside Council has no plans to step in and protect dozens of architecturally significant homes despite another celebrated mid-century property biting the dust.
The renowned architecturally designed Beaumaris home at Burgess St bulldozed earlier this month followed last August’s demise of a similar Beaumaris property 27 Mariemont Ave.
Hundreds of people took to social media to vent their anger at the council’s refusal to protect this home and dozens others.
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As a result, action group Beaumaris Modern has stepped up its campaign save an estimated 150 significant homes in Beaumaris and Black Rock.
In the short term it will put all its resources into protecting a property at 372 Beach Rd currently on the market.
Beaumaris Modern spokeswoman Fiona Astin said the group holds grave fears for the home and will do everything it can to save it.
It is calling on the council to abandon its controversial approach which allows homeowners to self-nominate their properties for protection rather than apply heritage protection.
“Our concern is now that Bayside Council is the only council in Victoria to abandon its responsibility to heritage list these significant houses they are now at risk of being demolished,” she said.
“The Beach Rd house is not protected despite previous heritage studies identifying this house as significant.”
The council’s voluntary nomination approach was launched in November but so far only two properties have had their nominations “confirmed” by the council.
Nominations are only open until the end of March.
Bayside City Planning and Amenity director Dr Hamish Reid said the council is committed to “recognising the significance of mid-century modern architecture to our prized neighbourhood character” but will push on with voluntary nominations.
“This decision (to adopt the voluntary policy) was made in response to considerable community opposition to the proposed amendments (interim heritage protections),” he said.
“(The) council’s new voluntary approach strikes a balance between protecting Bayside’s valuable heritage buildings and respecting the concerns of property owners.”
The Beaumaris Modern campaign is backed by the National Trust and the Australian Institute of Architects.
An exhibition showcasing significant mid-century homes including house in Beaumaris and Black Rock is currently running at the State Library.
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