By Jim Mynard
CARDINIA mayor Kate Lempriere told a Beaconsfield public meeting on Monday night that an application to have the Old Coach House, Beaconsfield, demolished had been withdrawn during the day.
Cr Lempriere said the council had a dilemma over the building that even if it or the government paid to have it restored then it would still be privately owned.
She said that although she was supportive of saving the house any action would mean it stayed in the hands of the developer who could sell it.
“We have a Section 173 agreement on the property, but that is something in law that we would find difficult to enforce.
“We have found we have a lapse in council policy on this issue and this is being rectified so that the situation will not happen again.
“We have a wrecked building, but the council is supportive of people who want it restored.
“I asked how it was allowed to deteriorate and was told that the council had no right to interfere with private property.”
One speaker from the floor said he owned a heritage property and could not do a thing to it unless he had a permit.
“Why isn’t this the case with the Old Coach House,” he asked.
Cr Lempriere also said that a report indicated the building had unstable foundations and that if the council refused a permit to demolish then the applicant could go to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Cr Lempriere said she supported the mood of the meeting and would do all in her power to work with the council to retain the building.
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