Perth Voice Interactive

THE demand for social housing and bigger roads has spelled certain doom for a heritage-listed 1904 cottage on Guildford Road that Main Roads has neglected to the point it’s unsalvageable.

At this Tuesday’s agenda briefing, Vincent councillors will debate a recommendation to remove the Federation Queen Anne cottage from category B of its municipal heritage inventory, which is normally reserved for buildings worth preserving.

It’s not the first time Main Roads has had a crack at bowling over the building, but this time the request has come through the powerful Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage because the Cook government wants to amalgamate the surrounding vacant lots for a big social housing development.

As far back as March 2000 the council, led by mayor John Hyde, voted to allow the surrounding buildings to be demolished, but ordered 40 Guildford to be retained because of its “historic, aesthetic and rarity values”.  

Main Roads was back in 2007, arguing uncertainty about the site’s future meant the building should go, but the Nick Catania-led council again refused the request.

“The house at 40 Guildford Road is a substantial and good example of the Federation Arts and Crafts style, which demonstrates the aspirations of the original developers for this neighbourhood before the growth of traffic on Guildford Road impacted so heavily on amenity,” a report prepared at the time found.

But the traffic continues to grow, and Main Roads has come back again saying it needs to widen the road at the intersection with East Parade which will mean the cottage’s verandah and front rooms will encroach on the expanded road reserve.

Main Roads says any attempts to rejig the house so it can be retained will further diminish its historic value and character.

Character

A heritage assessment from the council’s Design Review Panel noted that Main Roads had already contributed to the cottage fading character. 

“Over the last 17 years the subject site has been neglected, which has resulted in degradation of the building and a significant loss of its heritage values,” the assessment said.

Four submissions from the community agreed, saying Main Roads’ request was as a result of “demolition by neglect” and calling for it to be retained, although three others were happy to see the building go because it was covered in graffiti and was now an eyesore.

The council’s planners also bemoaned the neglect, but said the need for the road widening and lack of options to preserve parts had tipped the balance.

“The extent of demolition and modification will have a material impact on the fabric of the existing dwelling such that the original character, authenticity and significance of the dwelling will be irreversibly impacted and cannot practically be retained,” their report said.

The site at 40 Guildford and 33 adjoining lots have been earmarked for social housing under the Cook government’s Housing Diversity Pipeline program.

The site is zoned for three storeys and while the government hasn’t yet determined what the development will look like, it’s next step is to call for detailed proposals.

by STEVE GRANT