Councillors have told a developer who wanted to build a new caravan park incorporating the famous weatherboard house from the hit movie, The Castle, that ‘he’s dreaming’.
In a surprise twist, the councillors from Victoria’s Indigo Shire rejected advice from their own staff to approve the application from developer, George Fendyk.
Mr Fendyk has hoped to build the park on part of the historic Mayday Hills site in Beechworth. His plan was to make the property, famously owned by Darryl Kerrigan in the Australian movie, the caretaker’s residence for the park.
Last year, it became a case of life imitating art as development plans at Strathmore in Melbourne’s north-west led to Mr Fendyk saving the property by buying it for $40,000, and then having it cut into four segments and transported 274 kilometres to its new home in Beechworth.
At the time of the sale, the Property Observer publication reported that the re-constructed house would have a specially built pool room to mirror the movie’s famous reference point.
In ‘The Castle’, Darryl Kerrigan refused to accept the inevitability of defeat and his campaign, spearheaded by lawyer Dennis Denuto, ultimately led to his property – pool room and all – being saved from demolition.
It is unclear whether Mr Fendyk will take a similarly combative approach to save his dream, but the ‘vibe’ is certainly pretty negative after the councillors’ surprise vote.
In the days leading up to the vote, staff at Indigo Shire Council had acknowledged there were some issues to be sorted through, but it recommended nonetheless that the caravan park planning permit application be approved.
Objections raised to the proposal included noise, security concerns, and the construction of cabins in a second stage of the proposal. There was also some disagreement about a master-plan for the entire Mayday Hills site.
• Comment below.
Rubbish. I hope the Councillors chooks turn into emus and knock their dunnies down.
Tunnel vision as usual with the councillors.
Why do we have local Councils. Seems like a layer of Government we could do without. The more I hear of local Government corruption, incompetence, vested interest it would seem that State Governments should take control of local issues and put in professional employees to manage day to day issues. Just think of the money we could save.
Hear, hear Steve. My thoughts entirely.
What is wrong with these people?
Don’t they realise that It’s the vibe of the thing 🙂
No they do notunderstand the VIBE Pam
Yes steve is right get rid of local councils we do not need them.Too much power for [in most cases] people with no community interest at all.Most do not have solid business backgrounds or understand the workings of the town,and making decisions that could make or break a hard working bloke. Most like all pollies on some ego trip and linning there own pockets. Stevo.
Spot on. When can it happen. Its overdue already.
Of course mr. Fendyk Must do this. At Herberton we hav a whole historic Villiage for example. We would all love to visit & see the Castle
Sounds like a great idea. Would bring people to stay andoy Mayday Hills site. After all
I recall it may have been bear the old mental hospital site. Council should have a ‘re think on this one.
The Old Mayday Hills still operates as a mental health facility.
I can not to get a photo and it will go straight to the pool room.