History at home

A NEW Tecoma family has been given the green light to build their dream home in the hills.
But two Yarra Ranges councillors said the move would cost the town a unique piece of its history.
Darren Campbell and his wife bought 11-15 Rutherford Road six months ago.
“We both grew up in the Yarra Ranges and we’re looking to bring our three kids back to the hills,” he said.
But their dream hit a snag when a demolition application revealed the property, Kelmscott, was nominated as a site of potential significance in the 1999 Shire of Yarra Ranges Heritage Study.
Mr Campbell was relieved when councillors last week voted not to pursue heritage protection for the site and withdraw its request for interim heritage controls.
A verification of the property’s heritage significance found the timber house and garage were unique and innovative in design but had changed significantly since they were built between 1907 and 1918.
The report also found the site had historic associations but these were insufficient to merit a heritage overlay.
The case had Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff calling for the council to “get off our butts” and catch up on its heritage evaluations.
“But until we do, if these things happen then we’re stuck with it and we’ve just got to wear the consequences,” he said.
He said the issue should not have even come before the council.
“They bought a house. It had nothing on it – no conditions that ‘if you buy this you’re going to be stuck with a heritage overlay’ and then suddenly bang, it comes down on top of you,” he said.
“Let these people get on with building a house.”
Cr Cliff said the house was beyond restoration and the garage was close to collapse.
“I reckon a good wind like we were going to get the other night would have seen this argument solved,” he said.
“Pity we couldn’t get a chainsaw, go down there and cut out all that bits that have been added on. You’d be left with very little.”
“If we’re going to go after something heritage get something that’s really good and stick with it, but not something that’s just a pile of good recyclable timber.”
Lyster Ward Cr Samantha Dunn said the property was “part of the fabric of the Dandenong Ranges”.
“We actually have a heritage citation that concludes that the house has heritage value,” she said.
“I think we need to use the precautionary principle. I think we, in fact, need a thorough assessment of this building within Tecoma.”
“It is unfortunate that things like this get through the net or don’t get picked up until someone wants to knock them down.”