A WYNDHAM heritage group fears the council’s decision to approve the development of a house at the back of a property in the Carter estate will destroy the area’s history.
The decision also divided councillors at last week’s meeting.
The applicant sought permission to build a single-storey house at the rear of a property in Carter Crescent.
Council officers recommended approval subject to several conditions, including that windows in the existing house be restored to mirror the area’s heritage. Officers had also sought the opinion of a heritage adviser, who recommended the project be approved.
Councillors Marcel Mahfoud, Heather Marcus, Adele De Crescenzo and Shane Bourke put forward an alternative recommendation, calling for the application to be rejected. This was defeated on mayor Kim McAliney’s casting vote.
Wyndham Heritage Advisory Group member Bill Strong said the council should not have approved the development because the Carter estate had a heritage overlay.
“The danger is that this will establish a precedent for more development in the heritage area,” he said.
Fellow member Harry Van Moorst said it was time the council stood by its heritage policy. “We need to protect what little is left of our heritage for future generations.”
Cr Marcus said the Carter estate was unique and should be preserved. People had bought houses there because of its character.
But Cr John Menegazzo said there was no reason to reject the application, because it the support of the council officers and heritage adviser.
