Williamstown House at the Centre of Heritage Dispute to be Sold and Demolished

The ramshackle Williamstown house at the centre of a heritage dispute will be auctioned next month.

Barry Plant Yarraville agent Neils Geraerts is expecting about $1 million for the 839 square metre block at 43-45 Aitken Street, which is likely to be developed into a townhouse project.

The campaign to sell the development site started in April but had to be suspended while the historical significance of a rundown four-room weatherboard at the edge of the site was debated.

Heritage Victoria added the dwelling to the heritage register in 2007, saying it could be the oldest surviving timber dwelling in Melbourne.

But with the owner of the site financially unable to upkeep the property, Heritage Victoria recently authorised its dismantling, citing conditions within the Heritage Act 1995.

An auction is now scheduled at 1pm on Saturday September 19.

“The dismantling will be recorded and it will form part of an archival record which will be lodged with the State Library, the National Trust and the Williamstown Historical Society,” Heritage Victoria acting executive director Jim Gard’ner said.

“Under conditions of the permit, any future development on site will include an interpretation and history of the former residence in the form of interpretive signage.”

Share or Recommend article

Marc Pallisco

A former property analyst and print journalist, Marc is the publisher of realestatesource.com.au.