Mt Stuart demolition man Darko Krajinovic pushes on with townhouse plan

A man who illegally demolished his heritage-zoned house in Mt Stuart has new plans for the bulldozed site.

Illegally demolished house in Mount Stuart Road, Mount Stuart. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

A MAN who illegally demolished his heritage-zoned house in Mt Stuart has lodged a development application for four townhouses at the site.

In February 2017, Darko Krajinovic used an excavator to all but destroy his 1885 Mount Stuart home without a Hobart City Council planning permit.

He also cut down two significant trees – an Irish yew tree and bay tree – without making an application to the council.

FURY OVER ILLEGAL DEMOLITION OF HERITAGE HOME

OWNER’S BID TO FINISH ILLEGAL DEMOLITION

DEVELOPER PLEADS GUILTY TO ILLEGAL DEMOLITION

DEMOLITION MAN DARKO KRAJINOVIC’S SIX-FIGURE FINE

The case outraged residents and community leaders.

Krajinovic pleaded guilty to nine offences relating to the partial demolition of 55 Mt Stuart Rd, and was fined $225,000.

However amendments to the Land Use and Planning Approvals Act meant the council was not able to apply for an order banning Krajinovic developing the property.

Krajinovic has now lodged an application for the townhouses which were the reason for the demolition in 2017.

The remains of the house and one of the heritage-listed trees. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

The recent application to the Hobart City Council is accompanied by heritage assessments of the now-dead significant trees and the remains of the historic house.

A tree condition evaluation dated October 2018 describes the remains of the trees: “The stumps and roots are no longer functional – the trees are essentially dead.”

A heritage assessment of the structure says the house would likely have had some historical significance, however it could not be assessed against most of the Tasmanian Heritage Council’s criteria because it had been demolished.

The heritage assessment says the remaining part of the house “does not demonstrate any high level of architectural or aesthetic achievement”, being a 1960s addition with aluminium windows.

Krajinovic was back in court last month on further planning and construction-related charges after attempting to remove what little remained of the structure.

He has pleaded not guilty and a hearing has been scheduled in May.

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