Residents of a Maribyrnong street have declared they will go to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to prevent a historic war service home from being turned into a rooming house.
Last week, Maribyrnong council voted 5-2 in favour of allowing the partial demolition of 18 Birdwood Street in order for a rooming house to be built on the property.
The house was one of a number that were built in the area for soldiers returning from World War I and is now subject to heritage overlay.
Despite the overlay, council’s heritage advisor supported the partial demolition because it was mostly confined to the interior and the removal of the front door and addition of an access ramp wouldn’t damage the property’s heritage value.
Neighbouring residents dispute this, arguing the development would alter the façade of the existing home, undermining the character and streetscape of the precinct.
In a statement released after the vote, residents also expressed frustration at having abided by strict heritage rules only to see the rooming house proposal approved and accused council of inadequate engagement.
“Many residents were completely unaware of the proposed development until it was too late. In less than five hours, more than 75 residents signed a petition opposing the development – a clear demonstration of strong local objection,” read the statement.
During last week’s council metting, councillors Pradeep Tiwari and Mohamed Semra, called for the matter to be deferred before ultimately voting against the proposal.
Mover of the motion, Cr Elena Pereyra, defended the engagement process.
“I feel like we’ve gone above and beyond,” Cr Pereyra said.
Deputy mayor Bernadette Thomas said rooming houses were vitally important.
“We are in a housing crisis and for some people a room in the rooming house is the only place that they are able to live and if they’re not living there, they’re living on the street and anyone who’s been to the Footscray CBD recently will have seen people living on the street.”
In their statement, Birdwood Street residents stressed that they weren’t against rooming houses, just not in an area with heritage overlay.
Applicant Chris Nguyen told they meeting he had met all planning and heritage criteria.
