State Approves Demolition of 120-Year-Old Mt Lawley Heritage Home for Social Housing
The fate of a more than century-old heritage home on Guildford Road in Mt Lawley has been decisively settled, with the WA Planning Commission approving its demolition to pave the way for a 90-dwelling social housing project specifically designed for individuals over 55 years old. This decision was made at the commission's meeting on March 18, directly countering the formal recommendation from the City of Vincent to refuse the project.
Historic Home in Severe Disrepair
The site at 40 Guildford Road currently features a single-storey Federation Arts and Crafts dwelling, constructed around 1905. Developers have described the property as being in "very poor" condition both externally and internally, with reports indicating collapsing walls and extensive graffiti covering the structure inside and out. Originally built in 1904 and once hidden behind a large brick wall that has since been removed, the home is now in a severe state of disrepair.
Despite its historical significance, having been placed on the city's municipal heritage inventory in 2008 with a category 3 local heritage listing, the building's deterioration has been a point of contention. The City of Vincent has accused the State, which owns the property, of engaging in "demolition by neglect" and even issued a heritage conservation notice in an attempt to compel necessary repairs.
Community and Council Opposition
The city's refusal to reconsider its rejection of the demolition plans, following a request from the State Administrative Tribunal, underscores the local resistance to the project. When the proposal was opened for public comment last October, the city received 40 submissions:
- 27 objections
- 3 in support
- 10 providing comment only
Key concerns raised by the community included:
- Traffic and pedestrian safety issues
- Parking shortfalls
- Impacts on built form and neighborhood character
- Loss of heritage value
However, a transport impact statement concluded that the development would generate only an additional 22 trips during the morning peak and 18 trips during the afternoon peak, suggesting minimal traffic disruption.
Project Details and Historical Context
The approved social housing project aims to create 90 dwellings for seniors, addressing the growing need for affordable housing in the area. As part of the application, plans include repurposing materials from the demolished building, such as bricks and chimneys, into a communal heritage garden to preserve some elements of the site's history.
This site, located about 2.5km north-east of the Perth central business district and within 350m of Mt Lawley train station to the north and 600m of East Perth train station to the south, has a complex history. In 2009, the city approved the demolition of surrounding properties, including a corner shop and eight single-house dwellings, to facilitate road widening. However, the heritage-listed home at 40 Guildford Road was excluded from that approval due to its protected status.
The State's push for affordable housing has now taken precedence, leading to the controversial decision to demolish the 120-year-old structure in favor of modern social housing solutions.
