Priscilla Moca of the Melton & Moorabool Weekly reports that a Diggers Rest house known to locals as ‘‘The Castle’’ is likely to be saved from the wrecking ball.
Melton councillors last week unanimously backed a report that
recommended the council seek authorisation from Planning Minister
Matthew Guy to prepare a planning scheme amendment to apply for
permanent heritage controls for the castle.
David Kilgariff, the son of former Melton mayor Michael Kilgariff,
lived in the 1920s weatherboard house, “Athenry”, for most of his life.
A heritage assessment found the Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road property to be historically significant, and worthy of further investigation.
A subsequent report states: “Given the inability to carry out a detailed assessment of the property at the time of the formulation and adoption of the Shire of Melton heritage study, the property could not be included in the heritage overlay.”
“The heritage consultant [who has looked at the house since the application to demolish it was lodged] has advised that the house is in fair condition and worthy of retention.”
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Related Article:
Thursday 10 April 2014
Diggers Rest 'Castle' Ready for Wrecking Rescue
