Miller’s Homestead: backlash over Knox Council’s plans to sell 19th century property
BACKLASH over the planned sale of Miller’s Homestead has prompted calls for Knox Council to keep the site.
Outer East
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BACKLASH over the planned sale of Miller’s Homestead has prompted calls for Knox Council to keep the site.
The council has declared the 19th century homestead surplus to its needs and said it was not generating enough revenue to justify its costly upkeep.
It wants to rezone the site neighbourhood residential to sell to a private buyer.
But calls are growing for the council to reconsider.
MILLER’S HOMESTEAD: HISTORIC BORONIA PROPERTY SET TO BE SOLD FOR MORE THAN $1 MILLION
The 2018 Knox Citizen of the year Darren Wallace and 2004 Knox Citizen of the year Kevin Knox have led efforts urging the council to rethink its sale plans.
An online poll of 900 people found 88 per cent of people wanted the homestead kept in council hands.
The homestead, built in 1888 and managed by the council since the 1970s, has in the past hosted functions and events, including weddings.
Knox Mayor John Mortimore said even if it is sold off “nothing will change other than who potentially owns the building”.
Several comments to Knox Leader’s Facebook page offered alternative uses for the site, such as hiring it out to community groups.
Anthony Osborne wrote: “I think the council could do a lot of community consultation about what the site could be used for — there might be lots of brilliant ideas that can be generated to better use the site.”
Under the council’s plans, any sale of the 5668sq m property would include a Section 173 Agreement to prevent subdivision of the land, ensure the site is only used for residential purposes and that future owners maintain the heritage values of the site.
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Cr Mortimore said the homestead was a “much -loved and iconic feature of Knox” and he said people would get a chance to have their say on the plans.
The council is waiting on approval from the State Planning Minister to publicly exhibit its proposed planning scheme amendment, which is required for it to be rezoned.
If the council does decide to sell, there will be another opportunity for community input, Cr Mortimore said.
He said the council would put in safeguards to ensure the historic facade was preserved.
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