Council reject plans to demolish a million-dollar beach house deemed insignificant

A call has been made on a controversial development proposed for Queenscliff, on a home which was previously considered to be ‘insignificant’.

The Borough of Queenscliffe has refused a planning permit for a Beach St property previously considered to be insignificant.

During last week’s meeting, council unanimously voted against plans to demolish a cement sheet inter-war building on 5 Beach St to make way for a modern one storey dwelling with a rooftop terrace.

Heritage studies conducted in 2009 and more recently in October 2021 determined the building as “non-contributory” to the heritage precinct, but were not incorporated into the Queenscliffe Planning Scheme.

The planning scheme lists the Queenscliffe Urban Conservation Study 1984 as a reference in relation to heritage controls, which further stated the property was not “of major significance,” however it noted the demolition of the existing building stock would threaten the character of the precinct.

Planning app controversy at Queenscliff

In its planning report presented to council last week, it states: “objection submissions raised concern about the accuracy of information and as a result additional heritage advice from GJM Heritage was commissioned by Council and has confirmed the building … is linked to the later development of the Fisherman’s Flat precinct and should be retained and modified rather than be demolished,” it reads.

Councillor Michael Grout moved the motion stating council recognises the importance of the Fisherman’s Flat heritage.

“This proposed development contains features such as a rooftop terrace and double garage as its front facade that we think is inconsistent with the planning clauses and guidelines of Fisherman’s Flat,” he said.

The applicant has lodged a failure to determine appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal with a two-day hearing set for July 2022.

The property was last purchased in August 2020 for $1,175,000.

Originally published as Council reject plans to demolish a million-dollar beach house deemed insignificant