Miller’s Homestead: historic Boronia property set to be sold for more than $1 million
THE historic Miller’s Homestead in Boronia is set to be sold, with Knox Council saying the site is no longer worth the expensive upkeep.
Outer East
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THE historic Miller’s Homestead in Boronia is set to be sold, with Knox Council saying the site is no longer worth the expensive upkeep.
The 19th century building at 30 Dorrigo Drive is one of the oldest surviving houses in Knox and is used for functions and weddings, and its gardens hired out for wedding photos.
The council recently declared the site surplus after weighing up the number of events held there against the cost of keeping it open.
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Maintenance bills are expected to reach $30,000 a year for the next five years, a council report said.
The council said the 5668sq m site was likely to fetch more than $1 million.
Under the council’s plans, any sale of the 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.
But the plan to sell has drawn opposition, including the 2018 Knox Citizen of the year Darren Wallace and former Knox Citizen of the Year Kevin Knox, who have criticised the lack of consultation.
A Facebook page opposing the sale has already attracted 190 likes.
Mr Wallace said he accepted the council’s position was economically rational but said he did not think there was community appetite to see it sold.
Mayor John Mortimore said it was one of the finest old buildings in Knox and “nicer than Stamford Park (in Rowville) and Ambleside (Ferntree Gully)”.
However, he said it was time to sell to a private buyer.
“If we could keep it and keep using it profitably I’d be fighting tooth and nail for us to do that,” he said.
“It’s got a lot of potential but does it have enough potential to justify us keeping it?”
Read the report on rezoning Miller’s Homestead on page 35 of the council agenda.
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