Old Coach House in danger

By Jim Mynard
VANDALISM has put the historic and treasured Old Coach House at Kenilworth Avenue, Beaconsfield, at risk of demolition.
The heritage listed coach house is on a parcel of land that is being developed as housing blocks.
Residents said it was left unprotected despite a Section 173 agreement on the development permit that said that it was to be retained in its present order.
The developer has now applied to the Shire of Cardinia to demolish the building because of the damage but Cardinia Shire’s manager of governance and communication, Doug Evans, said no decision had been made on the application.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato joined residents at a protest meeting on Sunday 17 December that demanded that the building be restored.
Ms Lobato said she fully supported residents’ action in starting a campaign to ensure the building’s preservation.
She said it was vital that the council acted to save the Old Coach House.
“It is extremely disappointing that the development has placed this building at risk.
“Council officers condemned the building because of the vandalism and the developer subsequently applied for a demolition permit.
“I will stand with residents to fight this demolition,” she said.
Ms Lobato said the building represented a unique piece of Beaconsfield history because during the early 1900s it was used as a laundry for the nearby Berry Street Foundling Home.
“Since the foundling home was demolished, this coach house is the only remaining building to mark that important chapter of history.
“It was distressing on my visit to the location to see stained glass that was originally part of the mansion and later placed in the coach house, lying in disrepair on the ground.
“I already have in my electorate an example of a building that was considered beyond repair in the Warburton Mechanics Institute.
“Thanks to funding support from both the Bracks Government and the Shire of Yarra Ranges, as well as massive support from the community, that building has been restored.”
She said remnants of the stained glass windows had been salvaged from the coach house on Sunday and would serve as a symbol of the work ahead.
“These windows mark just the first step in our efforts to save this building.
“This coach house was included in the Cardinia embroidery project as a permanent record of heritage.
“It is ironic, that while we are celebrating this building by including it in the embroidery project, its demolition is being seriously contemplated.
“Demolition is not the right outcome and would be devastating to residents,” she said.
Mr Evans said the developer on Thursday 16 November was asked to show cause on why the building should not be made secure and either repaired to be suitable for occupation or demolished.
“The council then on Monday 27 November received an application to demolish the building.
“No decision has been made on this application,” he said.
Mr Evans said that on Friday 15 December the applicant agreed to place a protective fence around the building.
This was done on Monday morning.
Star was unable to contact the developers.