One of Albion’s oldest houses is at the centre of a heritage dispute.
Brimbank council has announced its intention to put a heritage overlay on the house at 11 King Edward Avenue, which was built in 1909. It was one of the first homes built on the new Sunshine estate developed by Hugh Victor McKay, an industrialist who operated the Sunshine Harvester Works.
The council, which became aware of the property when it was listed for sale, wants to put a heritage overlay on the front portion of the site, which contains the existing house.
The council voted last week to exhibit a proposed amendment to its Brimbank Planning Scheme as part of its consultation process, but the owners of the property are furious with the decision.
Patrick Cauchi, of M-Plan Planning Consultants, representing the owners, said the property had been considered for a heritage overlay in 2007, but the council had removed the site from plans before it went to vote.
City development director Stuart Menzies confirmed the King Edward Avenue property had been considered, and later rejected, for a heritage overlay in 2007 in an alternative motion brought forward by councillors at the time. “‘The house remains intact and council’s heritage adviser has confirmed its continued heritage significance,” Mr Menzies said.
The council also wants to put a heritage overlay on six concrete buildings at numbers 17 and 27 Maxweld Street in Ardeer.
