Derelict dive or hidden heritage gem?

That is the question Bendigo councillors will be asked to decide tomorrow night – and at stake is both the future of a run-down, 140-year-old miner’s cottage and that of its pensioner owner. 

City of Greater Bendigo heritage officers have advised councillors to reject the application to demolish the Hall Street property.

City statutory planner Lachlan Forsyth’s report to councillors argues demolition of the original weatherboard cottage would be “unacceptable" under council’s heritage policies. 

The report cites historic records which indicate the cottage was constructed circa 1876/77 – making it the oldest building in the street.

It also notes the house – which stands next to the Railway Station Hotel – forms a “critical” part of a heritage precinct.

“The house is highly visible from the Eaglehawk Railway Precinct and, together with the three houses from similar date on the opposite side of the hotel, is important in helping to establish the historic character of the Peg Leg and Railway precincts,” the report reads. 

Despite the heritage report, Craig Tweed – the real estate agent representing the applicant – said common sense dictated the house should go. 

“I love old buildings, that’s what Bendigo is built on,” Mr Tweed said. 

“And I respect and appreciate the fact that there has got to be reports done and every attempt made at keeping old buildings...to a certain extent.

“But there has got to be common sense prevail about the condition of a building when it comes to a decision about whether it can be removed or not.

“With this building, anyone who inspects it will see straight away that it shouldn't be kept.”

The real estate agent said the property had been on the market since February, with the asking price set at between $135,000 and $145,000.

He said his client, who is in aged care, stood to lose up to $30,000 if the permit was not approved. 

“Even seasoned renovators have looked at this place and said they won’t touch it,” Mr Tweed said. 

“We’re dealing with a pensioner’s livelihood here, and I’ve had to advice him that if this application is knocked back, he's going to have to knock the price down by $20,000 to $30,000.

“So sure we’ve got to preserve the heritage of the city, but we’ve also got to look to the future, to look at the positives of what could be done if it was a vacant block and a nice home was built.”

The lack of a replacement design, however, has counted against the application, with Mr Forsyth’s report advising against stand alone demolition applications as a rule.

The house was built by one of the pioneers of Eaglehawk, John Redford.

It has a poppet head and mine shaft in the front yard.