A family’s plan to replace a historic 19th-century cottage on Whistler Street in Manly with their dream home will proceed after a proposed heritage order, which could have preserved the property and prevented them from demolishing it, was withdrawn.
The Dispute Over Heritage
The cottage, built in 1899 and bought by Chris Syme and his family for $3.1 million in October 2022, was under scrutiny after Northern Beaches officials considered an interim heritage order following a development application by the Symes to demolish the deteriorated structure.
Council had initially moved to protect the “rare” timber workers’ cottage due to its architectural style and significance in Manly’s early development. According to a report, the cottage served as a “relatively intact example of a late 19th-century small timber gable fronted cottage, ” reminding the area’s architectural heritage amidst modern developments.
Family’s Financial Concerns
Mr Syme expressed his concerns, stating that the heritage order would severely impact his family’s finances, eroding the investment into their planned future home. He highlighted the house’s severe condition, including issues like wood rot, leaks, and lack of essential modern safety features like insulation and fireproofing, which made living there impractical. (DA 2024/0591)
The family felt ambushed by the sudden change in their home’s status after buying it without any prior indications of its heritage significance.
Final Decision
After intense deliberations and public debate, including comments from supporters and opponents of the heritage order, the vote was 10 to four against heritage protection.
The decision underscores the challenges in balancing heritage conservation with private property rights and modern community needs in Manly. Whilst some community members lamented the loss of one of Manly’s last cottages from the 19th century, others argued that property owners’ rights must be respected, especially when they have complied with existing regulations and invested significantly in the Whistler Street property based on those terms.
Mayor Sue Heins described the situation as a “no-win” scenario, acknowledging the loss of a significant historical element but recognising the family’s right to build their home. The decision was influenced by the property’s deteriorated state, including termite damage and structural subsidence reported by the family’s architect, Mark Korgul.
