By Tate Papworth
A Keilor landmark could soon be lost to the community.
The owner of the former Christ Church Anglican has tried to lease the building to Brimbank council on numerous occasions, but says that after six years he’s had enough.
“I’ve contacted real estate agents and instructed them to find a buyer,” he said. “I’ve been trying to get the council to take this up for six years and I can’t keep going with it.”
He said the decision hasn’t been made lightly.
“This building is critically important to the people of Keilor – they’re losing a piece of their identity if this goes to private developers,” he said. “The council go on about preserving history and heritage, but they seem totally disinterested in preserving this.”
The heritage-listed building’s owner said the council would be given first opportunity to purchase the church.
“I’d prefer it to go to the council, but if they knock it back it’ll go to developers and be lost to the community forever,” he said.
Keilor Historical Society president Susan Jennison said it was a sad outcome for the people of Keilor.
“We’re desperately sad that an agreement couldn’t be reached and the situation has come to this,” she said.
The 140-year-old building, on Church Street in Keilor, was purchased 10 years ago, but has been sitting empty for six years.
The owner has had numerous offers to lease the space, but earlier this year he told
Star Weekly neighbouring residents had proven a stumbling block.
“Allison Monkhouse funeral directors were really interested in it and wanted to take up a 40-year lease, but it caused such a stink that we walked away,” he said. “Then we had a GP who wanted to use it, but that was also knocked back after complaints … more recently, a person wanted to use it as a wellness centre and that got about 12 objections.”
