Time to dig deep for Freshwater heritage
Deadline looming to demolish 100-year-old Kamerunga Rd property
EFFORTS to save Freshwater’s Moule Cottage will require a community cash injection after a heritage consultant’s report flagged major problems with the 100-yearold building.
And time is running out to save the Kamerunga Rd property after new landowner Fineline Constructions applied to demolish the cottage late last year.
Cairns Regional Council in 2015 granted approval for original developers, Bluewater Builders to erect seven threebedroom units.
The window to build is due to expire in September.
Stratford and Freshwater Community Association president Liz Taylor is leading the push to save Moule Cottage.
Given the size — 1000 sqm block on Kamerunga Rd — Ms Taylor believed there was enough space for dual usage.
“The little house sits right at the front, so there is an opportunity for the landowner to protect the building and do something new on the other parts of the site,” she said.
“There are lots of options to save the building.”
Fineline Constructions owner Myles Moody said every effort had been made to save the cottage but it was not economically viable.
“I spent $20,000 and got a heritage consultant. He deemed, with all the work (needed) to bring it up to standard, it would lose its heritage value,” he said.
Mr Moody made assurances the approved 2015 application wouldn’t be built at the site.
“If I am to do it, I will build something that complements the surrounding area of Freshwater,” he said.
“The money that’s needed (to save the cottage), it’s just not financially viable.”
Mr Moody said the cottage was a haunt of illicit drug users – not ideal with a childcare centre next door.
“This future development will help the economy when it is much needed,” he said.
Plans for the site were still being finalised but made assurances it would not be a threestorey building, Mr Moody said . What do yout think? Send your view to letters@cairnspost.com.au