Overlay recognises historic farm house

A heritage overlay has been approved for an historic house in Drouin to protect it from surrounding residential development.

An independent planning panel recommended Baw Baw Shire Council impose a heritage overlay over The Gables in Lardner Rd.

Council last week endorsed the planning scheme amendment, which was initiated last year by property owners John and Judy Farmer.

The Farmers told council last year the house was of significant value to the community and should be preserved.

In their submission to council, the Farmers acknowledged an overlay would reduce the value of the land but it was a cost they were prepared to carry to ensure the house is protected. “If we only considered economics, very little heritage would ever be saved,” Mr Farmer said.

The Gables is an old farming property within the Drouin precinct structure plan area identified for future residential development.

The overlay will not affect the entire property but will include a designated area surrounding the house, including a magnolia tree and two English elm trees.

The statement of significance for the property said The Gables represented “an historical period in the pastoral history of the municipality where dairy farming on small acreage was a viable financial proposition capable of supporting a family farm.”

The house was constructed in 1910 for lawyer Edward James Hamilton who resided in the house until 1917.

“The intensive farming practices of dairying and orcharding is evidenced by the farmhouse, brick lined well and former dairy.

“The dwelling exhibits key features common to the Federation period including exaggerated high-pitched hip roof forms, an asymmetrical arrangement and plan and projecting gables.,” the statement said.

SD Planning Consultants, representing developers of a proposed adjoining subdivision, did not challenge the heritage value of The Gables but objected to its conflict with the Drouin PSP and the potential to make the adjoining subdivisions unattractive for development.

The independent panel concluded the property satisfied the threshold for local heritage significance and it was appropriate to have an overlay applied to a portion of the land.

Cr Tricia Jones said it was unfortunate the heritage value of The Gables property was not recognised in the PSP.

“Fortunately, we have the opportunity to correct this oversight. This will protect significant elements of The Gables in the event of development in Lardner Rd,” she said.

Cr Jones said the overlay recognised the substantial and complex design of Edwardian and Federation design in the shire.

She said the panel concluded that applying an overlay to the property would not impact on the wider objective of the PSP.

Cr Annemarie McCabe said it was incumbent on future developers to use some imagination to integrate the new with the old.

She said it was important to protect buildings and vegetation of significance.

Cr Michael Leaney said the overlay showed council was at a turning point in having a greater appreciation for the heritage of the shire.

“We have to recognise that heritage is not necessarily a burden going forward and can be integrated into new development.

Cr Leaney said a proposed subdivision in Yarragon proposed to maintain an historic house on the property which was an example that “development does not mean heritage has to be removed.”

Cr Peter Kostos also acknowledged the Farmers for maintain the property in good condition for future owners.

He commended them for taking the step to recommend an overlay be placed on the house and significant trees.