LATEST: One of Diggers Rest’s oldest houses is likely to be saved from the wrecking ball.
David Kilgariff – the son of former Melton mayor Michael Kilgariff – lived in the 1920s weatherboard house, ‘Athenry’, most of his life, and says it needs to be preserved for future residents.
“If we lose these connections, new families to the area won’t have that understanding or pride in its roots.”
Councillors unanimously backed a report presented at last night’s council meeting, which recommended that council seek authorisation from Planning Minister Matthew Guy to prepare a planning scheme amendment to apply for permanent heritage controls.
Melton council officers previously visited the house, which was built to resemble a castle, after the owner DivCorp Pty Ltd submitted an application to demolish it.
The heritage assessment found the Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road property to be historically significant, and worthy of further investigation.
“Given the inability to carry out a detailed assessment of the property at the time of the formulation and adoption of the Shire of Melton heritage study, the property could not be included in the heritage overlay,” the report states.
“The heritage consultant [who has looked at the house since the application to demolish it was lodged] has advised that the house is in fair condition and worthy of retention.”
A letter from solicitors acting on behalf of property owner DivCorp was read out at the meeting, asking for a decision to be delayed as council were “acting in haste”, and claiming the owners were “denied natural justice” in conducting their own investigations.
“I love this expression ‘denied natural justice’ when we were being denied access onto the property,” Cr Sophie Ramsey said at the meeting.
“For heritage purposes, they must have understood that there was something of value there.”
Mr Kilgariff said he hoped the “quirky” building could serve as a community centre or cafe in future.
“We don’t really have a cafe in Diggers Rest, and it could attract people to stop in and visit,” he said.
“A lot of the older buildings have burnt down in time. We should try to keep this one standing.”
