18 March 2009
Mornington MP David Morris told Parliament last week that Mornington is in danger of losing an early heritage home.
A town planning application has been lodged for 743 Esplanade, Mornington near the Barkly Street intersection. The site is extremely sensitive as the corner forms one of the principal gateways to the town and is surrounded largely by heritage buildings.
“The town planning application is proceeding through the normal process, and as the proposal is contested by many local residents I expect it will eventually be determined by VCAT.”
“Of immediate concern is an application to demolish the existing dwelling, which is to be determined in a matter of days” said Mr Morris.
“No. 743 was created by an early subdivision, and the home was owned by one of the original families of Mornington, the Grovers. In 1871 William Grover became the first president of the Shire of Mornington. His son, Joseph Dale, also occupied that position prior to World War I. Two members of the family were lost in the football disaster of 1892.”
“The home is also lined with other prominent Victorians, including Professor George William Louis Marshall-Hall, composer, Ormond Professor of Music at Melbourne University and conductor of the Mornington orchestra The provenance of this home may well have considerate bearing on the outcome of the planning application, which must not be short-circuited by the hasty demolition of this significant building”.
Mr Morris urged the Minister for Planning to act immediately to ensure the application is determined with proper process and not by the premature employment of the wrecker’s ball”.
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