Passionate community vows to save late filmmakers’ home
Passionate objectors have stumped up thousands of dollars to save a prized Albert Park home, once owned by a famous filmmaker — but even more cash is needed to stop the multistorey development going ahead.
Inner South
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Passionate objectors have stumped up thousands of dollars to save a historic Albert Park home from the wrecking ball, but even more cash is needed.
Plans to turn the 138-year-old house once owned by late filmmaker Paul Cox into a “monstrous” four-storey complex were thwarted in October when Port Phillip councillors voted to protect the Victoria Ave building.
ALBERT PARK RESIDENTS PROTEST DEVELOPMENT PLANS
PAUL COX’S HOUSE SAVED FROM DEVELOPMENT
It followed more than 500 objections, and now neighbours hope to raise $35,000 to continue the fight at a VCAT appeal hearing on March 18.
Community group ‘Don’t Destroy Albert Park’ is raising the money for legal representation on behalf of the concerned community, already making about $18,000.
Campaign spokeswoman Amber Moore said it was great dozens of people had donated anywhere from $50 up to $1000, to ensure a “dangerous precedent” was not set.
“The average donation is well over $100 and it just shows how much people actually care,” Ms Moore said.
“Everyone cherishes the village and it has so much history, and we’re so passionate because we all compromise big houses and big backyards to live here because we just love our surroundings.”
The building on the prime corner block is covered by a heritage overlay, and council officers deemed that plans would not be in keeping with the area.
Ms Moore, who has lived in the area for 47 years, said they’d personally fight it in VCAT regardless of whether the money was raised, but hoped a barrister could be hired.
“We only have one chance with this and it’s not cheap to go to VCAT, but we want the right people there,” she said.
Iconic Dutch-born director Paul Cox was widely regarded as the father of Australian arthouse cinema, and best known for his films Man of Flowers, A Woman’s Tale and Innocence.
Daughter Kyra previously told the Leader the plans showed a “building with no heart.”
If approved, the development would include seven apartments, a 100-seat restaurant, two shops and a basement carpark, sparking concerns about tree removal and increased traffic in Victoria Lane.
The site was bought by the Saade Group for a reported $5.57 million in 2017.
They have been contacted for comment.
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