Neighbours rally to save ‘landmark’ home from demolition
Seven years after the community saved a 1920s bungalow from becoming a block of 40 apartments, they’ve been forced into action again. But this time there’s only one person who can stop the demolition.
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The fight to save a neighbourhood landmark from demolition has returned seven years after the community prevailed at VCAT.
A core group of neighbours have mobilised to stop the Victorian Maronite Community from demolishing a house on the property at 33 Comas Grove, Thornbury.
The church was in March issued a permit from a private building surveyor to demolish the 1925 interwar bungalow and garages.
It is currently used for church administration and the home of two Maronite priests.
Neighbour Paul Hodgson said he and fellow protesters weren’t anti-development, but the home was a “landmark” of the area and needed to be preserved.
“There’s certain significant houses in the neighbourhood that really do contribute to the amenity and feel of a neighbourhood that are worth preserving,” he said.
Without a heritage overlay , there’s no way for the council to stop the church from demolishing the house.
Only Planning Minister Richard Wynne can cancel the demolition permit.
A change.org petition for Mr Wynne to stop the development had about 368 signatures.
Mr Hodgson said his group spent $20,000 on the VCAT fight to stop the original proposal and had “skin in the game”.
“We have a lot of development in our area — a lot of apartments. It’s about trying to get that right mix,’ he said.
The original planning application, refused by Darebin Council in 2011, was for the construction of 40 dwellings in two buildings, including one building with 34 apartments and two townhouses.
The council refused the permit on grounds relating to neighbourhood character, height and form, and the amenity of neighbours.
The refusal was appealed in VCAT and upheld on the grounds the development was too intense.
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Darebin councillor Trent McCarthy said the building could be preserved and used for different purposes, such as a community hub.
“If the church no longer needs the building, they should hand it over for community use rather than demolishing it to make a quick buck,” he said.
Mr Hodgson said he didn’t know if the church wanted to revisit their original plans.
“The Maronite church clearly contribute a lot to the community,” he said.
“I just think in this instance hopefully they can see our point of view.”
The Maronite church was contacted for comment.
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