Demolition of Council owned house may be death knoll for two more character houses
07 June, 2010
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Residents were shocked this morning to see a “Demolition Site” sign posted on the tin and timber house at 1 Orleigh Street, Hill End that was recently purchased by Council as part of the CityGlider transport project.
“Council’s plans for the CityGlider roundabout showed a corner truncation was all that was required and the house could remain in situ” said Cr Abrahams.
“This was the expectation of local residents. Instead they learnt from the demolition sign that the house is to be demolished” said Helen Abrahams.
Council hid behind the powers of Brisbane City Plan to exempt this demolition from development assessment and public scrutiny as it is a transport project” said Cr Abrahams.
“While this approach is lawful, it is not one of an open and transparent Council or Lord Mayor”.
The Character Residential Precinct of the Brisbane City Plan protects pre 1946 tin and timber houses that contribute to the streetscape. The three character houses at the beginning of Orleigh Street make a significant streetscape statement for everyone going to and from the CityCat ferry.
The Demolition Control Precinct only protects tin and timber houses if there are at least three houses together.
“The demolition of the Council owned house is a death sentence for the other two houses’ said Helen Abrahams.
“Local residents have petitioned for the protection of these three houses in the past, so the Lord Mayor already knew their wishes.”
“I am asking the Lord Mayor why he is proceeding to demolish the house rather than relocate it on the block?” said Cr Abrahams
“I believe the Lord Mayor should come clean and tell the community, is he prepared to permit the demolition of the remaining two houses?”
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