Save Woodend’s historic streetscape

Thank you for looking at our community fund-raising page.

We're raising funds to fight a high density development occurring adjacent to the fence line of historic Islay House in Woodend, Victoria, Australia which is finally coming to life after three years of renovation.

By contesting the development we hope to ensure the developer builds something more sympathetic to the neighbourhood and hopefully to save the grove of Cypress trees that provide a setting for the house and a picturesque rural gateway to the historic Woodend township.

The developer’s proposal is for 14 double storey units built on a raised earthen platform surrounded by retaining walls.

The development will be over 10m high - which is about 2m higher than Islay House.

The proposal also seeks to remove every mature tree on the site to make way for the housing, the resulting impact to the heritage character of this part of town even starker than it may otherwise have been. You can imagine the impact to the area's rural heritage character.

Add to this a raised roadway at 1-1.2m, (almost at the height of the fence line) running along side the boundary with Islay House which completely destroys the garden setting.

The local residents have already raised the $1,080 fee required to have the case heard, but we really need support from experts to help us fight this monstrosity. The developer has paid for a highly experienced lawyer/planner and a raft of expert witnesses willing to attest that building 14 modern units on a raised island in the middle of a floodplain next to a historic house in a quiet country town is entirely reasonable and in keeping with the town's character.

We happen to think differently......

Depending on the funding we get, we will be able to do the following

$4000 - hire a town planner to assist in the preparation of the case.

$7000 - $8000 - as above but also hire expert witnesses to argue heritage impacts, building regulations and issues examine the flood impacts to adjacent housing. We currently feel that Council and the developer will bulldoze this over us as they have money and experts to hire against us and we have no support from our local Council.

We have already raised over $3000 from concerned local residents - so professional support for our defence at VCAT is within sight..

Every donation, no matter how little will help.

Any funds left over after fighting the case will be donated to "Very Special Kids" - a cause that deserves support and provides free accommodation in the district to families suffering under traumatic circumstances.

I have included some rewards which are the best I could come up with as a way of saying thank you for your support. Please ensure you leave contact details (email) so you can be invited.