North Sydney mayor vows to discourage developers from bulldozing century-old Cremorne homes

“We are disappointed to see that the Minister has issued a new IHO for the properties,” said Michael Wang, Managing Director of MMK Developments.

The company is also taking legal action against the council for the alleged rejection of its development application.

Wang said the properties on Holt Avenue have never been listed and have no historical significance.

“This matter has cost both our company and North Sydney taxpayers a great deal of money and time,” he said.

Baker said the historical values ​​of the remaining homes were unaffected by neighboring buildings.

“The proximity to new housing reinforces the need to protect these housing as the last remnants of the suburb’s development and allow us to interpret the traditional character and grandeur of the street,” she said.

Loading

Councilors and residents are fighting property developers to protect heritage sites across Sydney, including the historic Glenlee estate on the Georges River.

A real estate development lobby group claims there is a “heritage mafia” that prefers old buildings to be left vacant and derelict rather than adapted and used.

Griffin’s intervention comes after two Federation bungalows were bulldozed by real estate developer Helm for a 22-apartment boutique complex.

Helm chief executive Mark Monk said the council had issued a temporary monument listing, although experts determined the houses had no heritage value.

“The court saw through the councilmen’s political stunt and determined that the homes at 131 and 133 Holt Avenue have no historical value, removed the IHO and approved the prosecutor’s office, allowing the project to proceed,” he said.

Loading

Local resident Sarah Kok said the homes on Holt Avenue, which were threatened with demolition, are an integral part of Cremorne’s heritage.

“We need to make sure we maintain a balance between developing and preserving our local heritage,” she said.

Several apartment complexes are already under construction or in the planning stage for Holt Avenue, which Kok says was used as a “rat run.”

“People are crammed in without a corresponding upgrade in infrastructure and facilities — buses, roads, schools, green space — or the impact of congestion and facilities on a small suburban street,” she said.