Developer’s bid demolished

By Paul Dunlop
A DEVELOPER’S bid to demolish the old Coach House at Beaconsfield has been thrown out as civic leaders vowed to keep fighting to have the beleaguered building restored.
Cardinia Shire councillors voted unanimously at a meeting on Monday, saying demolishing the building would destroy a significant piece of local history.
Councillors also spoke out against claims by applicant Carson Simpson Pty Ltd that the building had serious structural defects and was run down to the point of being dangerous.
Central Ward councillor Brett Owen led the push to oppose the application, saying the heritagelisted landmark had been allowed to deteriorate.
“I question whether the developers have done everything they can to prevent the vandalism that has occurred there in the past,” he said.
“This is an ongoing issue. Council is very concerned about this, there is no doubt about that,” he said.
Cr Owen said the bid to demolish the building was contrary to agreements made between council and the developer when an 11lot subdivision on the land was approved in 2003.
He said the developers had sought permission not to have to advertise the bid to demolish the building.
Councillors were told at their meeting that independent engineering assessments undertaken on behalf of the developer found a demolition was urgently needed for safety reasons.
But council’s own studies found the building was repairable.
“It’s difficult, but achievable,” Cr Owen said.
Eleven objections were lodged with council by residents opposing the demolition.
Residents said they want the building preserved for future generations, saying it was a historic landmark that once gone could never be replaced.
Cr Owen said council had listened to residents and was seeking to take the issue to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in a bid to force the developer to restore the coach house (Gazette, 23 February).
Built as part of the old Kenilworth Villa estate that stretches back to the late 1800s, the coach house and several bunya bunya trees are all that remain.
Crs Bill Pearson and Graeme Legge spoke in support of council’s action.
Cr Legge said he did not believe demolition was appropriate.
Beaconsfield Progress Association president Tony Rushton welcomed council’s decision.
Cr Owen urged residents to “bear with us” while council continued to pursue the issue.
“We’re doing our best, council will do everything we can to save this building,” he said.