Constituency questions
Kew electorate
Jess WILSON (Kew) (14:55): (480) My question is to the Minister for Planning. How does the minister intend to exercise her powers under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to amend the Boroondara planning scheme to apply a specific control overlay on a permanent basis to the land at 7 Mangarra Road, Canterbury? On 9 December last year the 118-year-old heritage-listed Shenley Croft home on Mangarra Road went up in flames in what police have confirmed was an act of arson. In 2009 Shenley Croft was included in Boroondara’s heritage overlay as an individually significant heritage place. Since 2020 the heritage dwelling has remained vacant and has fallen into disrepair. The tragic and unlawful destruction of Shenley Croft raises serious concerns about the heritage overlay and its ability to protect places of heritage significance, especially when it comes to neglect and unlawful demolition. On Monday night Boroondara council resolved to request that the minister supply an SCO to the land at 7 Mangarra Road to ensure any future development of the property includes the heritage home’s reconstruction.