January hearing set for Darko Krajinovic to fight charges relating to the alleged removal of stone footings

A man who illegally demolished a Mount Stuart house will return to court to fight charges relating to stone footings at the site.

The site at 55 Mount Stuart Rd where owner Darko Krajinovic illegally demolished the 1885 house. Krajinovic is now facing further charges relating to the stone footings he is alleged to have removed.

THE developer who illegally demolished his heritage-listed Hobart home will return to court in January to fight a second lot of charges relating to the demolition.

Darko Krajinovic, 34, of Mount Stuart, appeared briefly in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Krajinovic previously pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to his alleged removal of stone footings at his 55 Mount Stuart Rd property where the demolition occurred.

In February 2017, Krajinovic used an excavator to demolish much of his 1885 home without a planning permit.

He pleaded guilty to nine charges relating to the demolition and was fined $225,000. Krajinovic appealed against the fine in the Supreme Court, arguing it was manifestly excessive, but lost the appeal.

The charges Krajinovic now faces include failing to ensure demolition work complied with the Building Act, failing to engage a building surveyor, and undertaking a development that is contrary to a planning scheme.

Magistrate Glenn Hay on Wednesday ordered Krajinovic to return to court in January for the case to be heard.

Mr Hay continued Krajinovic’s bail.

The hearing is expected to take two days, and witnesses are expected to include a council heritage officer, other council employees and four civilian witnesses.

Krajinovic’s development application for four townhouses at the property was approved by the Hobart City Council in May.