Why stunning old homes in Melbourne are knocked down but ugly wrecks are saved

WHY are some of Melbourne’s ‘significant’ homes protected, but other stunning historic properties are left vulnerable to the developer’s wrecking ball?

WE’VE all heard the saying a man’s home is his castle — but what sets one building apart from the rest?

As Melbourne’s property boom continues and investors buy one house with plans to knock it down and replace it with two or three others.

With this in mind, local councils have the power to grant or deny that wish — based on heritage overlays and protections.

Anyone can nominate a place or object to be listed on the Victorian Heritage Register and that decision is left in the hands of Heritage Victoria.

This Toorak property was deemed not to have sufficient architectural significance.

They are assessed on the Heritage Council’s wide criteria and whether a home can be demolished depends on a number of factors including the extent of demolition and the significance of the property.

PUSH TO LIST BOULEVARD TREES

But what may be significant to one person could be vastly different to the next.

For example if a particular home is a 1970s home within a precinct valued for its Edwardian heritage — demolition may be supported.

But its replacement would need to consider the historical significance of surrounding properties.

Just last week, a developer who wants to knock down a house in Narre Warren’s heritage listed Fountain Gate Estate learnt he faces an uphill battle if he wants to go ahead with plans to build three townhouses in its place.

The rundown house at Greenridge Ave.

The very rundown house at 7 Greenridge Ave was one of the estate’s original display homes, designed by renowned architects Daryl Jackson and Evan Walker.

ROW OVER FOUNTAIN GATE HOUSE

Despite its rotten and twisted roof beams, and poor quality roof beams, the local council has it under a heritage overlay.

Only time will tell whether it can be saved.

But if this poorly looked after house is to be saved, it begs the question why others, in much better condition, could not be saved from the wrecking ball.

9-11 Edward St, Kew: twice denied protection.

9-11 Edward Street, Kew

The century old $9.6 million Kew mansion was twice denied heritage protection before it was turned down.

According to Heritage Victoria the federation-style home, previously owned by former Hawthorn Football Club president Andrew Newbold, was a good and typical example of the era but did not possess the qualities to make it significant.

The grounds of 16 St Georges Rd Toorak.

16 St Georges Road, Toorak

Despite the local council’s efforts to protect and save the 1913 home and its manicured gardens, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning said the building didn’t have sufficient architectural significance to warrant ministerial intervention.

5 Ians Grove, Lower Templestowe. Picture: realestate.com.au

Ians Grove, Templestowe Lower

The nondescript single-storey house — designed by renowned architect Bernard Joyce — was considered by some to be a timeless example of an early post-war Australian home.

But the local council rejected heritage advice to protect it because it didn’t look particularly grand from the street.

33-35 Huntingtower Rd Armadale.

33-35 Huntingtower Road, Armadale

Demolishers have begun chipping away at the grant 118-year-old house after a last-ditch effort to save it failed.

The property had not previously been nominated for the Victorian Heritage Register and was not found to have high local significance.