Below is a edited copy of an email sent by the author to Inner West Council’s Ashfield (Djarrawunang) Ward Councillors on 3/11/22 relating to homes at 7-13 Macarthur Parade, Dulwich Hill.
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Dear Ward Councillors –
It’s come to my attention that a home at 11 Macarthur Parade, known as Valcourt, has come up for sale as a potential development opportunity.
The home stands as part of a row of four intact and complementary Californian bungalows, built in the early 1920s.
These homes are unique in the suburb, provide incredible street presence and have a strong social history. Their addresses are 7, 9, 11 and 13 Macarthur Parade.
In 2018, (another resident) and I researched the history of these homes.
The blocks on which they stand were subdivided in 1914 from the Sefton Hall estate of prominent Sydney retailer Marcus Clark. The original large subdivision sizes remain intact.
We found that 11 Macarthur Parade, which is now for sale as a potential development site, was the home of John Thomas Ness (1871-1947), who was an influential activist, businessman and politician (including three terms as Mayor of Marrickville Council). Ness Avenue in south Dulwich Hill was no doubt named after him.
As a home on a 15m wide allotment, and with a lot size of more than 1,000 square metres, this home (and the others alongside it) are at great risk of being felled via complying development – given they are not heritage listed or in a heritage conservation zone.
In the recent heritage report issued alongside the urban renewal plans, consultants GML recommended this specific area of Macarthur Parade should be considered for further investigation as a heritage conservation area.
The (former Marrickville) Council has also previously advocated to the NSW Government to preserve these homes when they were targeted for redevelopment in the first Sydenham to Bankstown urban renewal strategy in 2015.
In my view, it would be a tragedy if this home (in the centre of the four homes) is knocked down, which would forever ruin the current intact streetscape.
An interim heritage order would switch off complying development to allow a proper heritage investigation to take place. It would seem sensible that this order would apply to the four homes – 7-13 Macarthur Parade.
It may well be in the future that, as large blocks, a modest dual occupancy or granny flat style development is appropriate on the back of the blocks if the front homes are retained as part of a heritage conservation area.
If there is any chance of referring to this Council staff for feedback, or considering moving a notice of motion, it would be appreciated. It would be preferable if this would be done before the auction scheduled for 26 November (which I know may be difficult to achieve given the Council meeting cycle).
Note: The author lives near these homes
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Hi Mark, there’s no chance of subdividing these blocks or building at the back as Council doesn’t allow it. Ask me how I know. As a result all owners will have to sell as 1000 sq meters gets beyond their capacity to manage. You’ve just made that more difficult, so well done.
This is really interesting considering we are in a housing crisis. Such a waste of land considering very few occupants. However they are beautiful homes too. I’ve been inside 11 and it was atrocious, could do with some work. Dual occupancy would make sense
Best
Prue