Objections have been lodged against a demolition permit application that threatens the Sunshine home of famous Australian inventor Headlie Taylor.
A self-taught engineer, Headlie Taylor was best known for designing the Sunshine header harvester and a machine that harvested flax during World War 2.
He also designed the 1938-built house and gardens at 129 Durham Road, Sunshine, where he lived until his death in 1957.
The Durham Road property is within the general heritage overlay of the McKay Housing Estate precinct, which requires a permit before any of its buildings can be altered or demolished.
But Headlie Taylor House does not have an individual heritage overlay, which was recommended last year but not acted on by the council.
The council cannot reconsider a specific overlay until the permit application is determined.
Residents had 14 days to object to the permit which included demolition of the historic house to make way for six, double-storey townhouses. That deadline closed last Wednesday.
Residents including Speroulla Christodoulou say Sunshine is now in danger of losing yet another piece of its very significant history.
“Unfortunately, we have too many ‘this used to be here’ displays in Sunshine. We certainly don’t want another one.”
Yasemin Talat
