Developer promises no demolition threat to Tiuna Grove homes yet
Two historic Elwood homes won’t be hit with a wrecking ball — for now. The developer of the sites has responded after residents feared the buildings could be demolished after bulldozers turned up in their street.
Inner South
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UPDATE: The developer behind a plan to build a 19-unit apartment complex in Tiuna Grove says demolition of three properties won’t go ahead until a permit is in place.
Nick McKimm, from McKimm developments, told the Leader workers had today disconnected gas and power at the site as a safety precaution.
But he was adamant the homes, which were last week given temporary heritage protection, would not be torn down yet.
“There will be absolutely nothing more done at the site until we have the proper permits,” he said.
Port Phillip Council earlier this year knocked back McKimm’s to raze houses and build a 19-unit apartment block at 1, 3 and 5 Tiuna Grove and last month called on the Planning Minister to save the homes from the wrecking ball.
The Government issued the interim order last week.
But Tiuna Grove resident Emily Millward told the Leader five or six workers arrived on site this morning and started digging up parts of the road to disconnect gas lines to the properties.
Ms Millward said a “massive group of residents” had gathered around the area.
“They’ve got big bulldozers here and everything, they’re digging up the road — they’re everywhere,” she said.
“We don’t really know what to do, everyone’s just ringing the council but we haven’t been able to stop any of the work so far.
Ms Millward said the contractors told her demolition could start as soon as next month but she was concerned it could go ahead today.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if we showed up tomorrow and the bulldozers were here to knock it over,” she said.
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Helen Koustas, who has lived in the area since 1979, said residents wanted the properties to “remain intact” at least until the heritage assessment could be finalised.
“We want to preserve them — we don’t have the deep pockets these guys (developers) do to fight this but once they’re gone, they’re gone,” she said.
The council made a bid for heritage protection after more than 1500 people signed a petition against the three-storey complex.
Southern Metropolitan Region Labor MP Nina Taylor said the interim order was put in place on July 4 to stop demolition of the properties pending the results of a heritage assessment.
Plans for the apartment block were due to go before the state’s planning tribunal this week but the hearing has been delayed due to the interim heritage order.
A VCAT hearing will be scheduled for a date later this year.
Port Phillip Acting Mayor Louise Crawford said confirmed workers had today removed gas meters and disconnected supply to the property.
“Council sought the interim planning controls to ensure a private building surveyor could not approve a demolition permit for these properties to be razed ahead of the VCAT decision,” she said.
“We warmly welcome the Minister issuing the interim heritage controls and will be following up with a request for permanent controls.”
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