Developer pleads guilty to illegal demolition of Mt Stuart house

A MAN who illegally demolished his heritage-zoned house in Mt Stuart faces a ban of up to 10 years on developing the property.

Workers hose down the debris after the demolition work.

A MAN who illegally demolished his heritage-zoned house in Mt Stuart faces a ban of up to 10 years on developing the property.

Darko Krajinovic has pleaded guilty in the Magistrates Court in Hobart to illegally demolishing the house. The case outraged residents and community leaders.

Mr Krajinovic, the owner of 55 Mt Stuart Rd, Mt Stuart, pleaded guilty to one count of carrying out prescribed work when not the holder of a practitioners licence. He also pleaded guilty to three counts of undertaking development without a permit and one count of performing permit demolition work without a valid demolition permit.

In February, unauthorised works on the property resulted in asbestos in the roof being disturbed. Electricity was still connected while the 1885 weatherboard house was almost fully knocked down.

Last month the Hobart City Council said it had begun legal proceedings against the owner.

Hobart City Council general manager Nick Heath said the council was pleased Mr Krajinovic had “accepted responsibility for his actions.”

“We now await the court’s determination of a suitable penalty,” Mr Heath said.

The maximum penalty for illegal demolition work is a 10-year ban on developing the property.

“The council hopes that this case serves as a warning to anyone seeking to flout their responsibilities,’’ Mr Heath said.

“The council will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who fails to seek the relevant approvals prior to undertaking works of this nature.”

The court case was yesterday adjourned by Magistrate Simon Cooper until September 14 for facts and sentencing.

Mr Heath said he could not comment further because the matter was still before the courts.

An application for authorised demolition of what remains of the house has been lodged with the council.

Neighbour Graeme Wells welcomed Mr Krajinovic’s guilty plea.

“It will be interesting to see what the sentence is — I hope it’s severe,” Mr Wells said.

He and his wife Jenni had previously considered taking their own legal action against the owners, but were advised that it would be a difficult case to win.

He said the council had sent an asbestos consultant at their request to their home a few weeks ago to take samples to check for the presence of the dangerous material.

He said he was still awaiting the results.