By Ann Marie
IRAMOO Ward councillor Heather Marcus has rejected a plan to protect from future development sites labelled locally significant, saying it could cause financial hardship to property owners.
Ninety-five sites in Wyndham have been identified for a heritage overlay, meaning planning approvals would be required for future demolition or renovations.
They include buildings, cemeteries, schools, hotels, parks and memorials, some dating back to the 1860s.
However, Cr Marcus said Werribee was not a historic town – like a Ballarat or a Bendigo – and did not require the overlay.
“Some of these owners may have bought their property with the expectation of renovating or developing,” she said.
Cr Marcus said Watton St’s Bridge and Commercial Hotel, built in 1926 and 1905 respectively, were commercial properties with few remaining historic features.
She also said 70 per cent of Wyndham residents were new arrivals, who had no connection with Werribee’s past.
Sites like Ison House and Leakes Dairy had been demolished in recent years, prior to the introduction of heritage overlays.
The Wyndham Council would send letters to owners of the identified sites.
The proposed amendment to the Wyndham planning scheme will be exhibited publicly over the next two months.
Owners will have an opportunity to object to their inclusion.
The council will apply to the State Government for an interim heritage overlay, until a final decision is made.
