Boroondara council approves demolition and rebuild of Canterbury’s 121-year-old heritage mansion destroyed by fire

Tarni James watched her family's former Canterbury home burn down in an arson attack in December 2023.

Speaking to the Eastern Melburnian after Boroondara council approved plans to demolish and rebuild the 121-year-old mansion, she said a decision to refuse extra planning protections on the property was "a heartbreak" for her family.

🗓️ The history: Built in 1905-06 and known as “Shenley Croft”, the 1,332sqm property at 7-9 Mangarra Road is an Edwardian villa covered by the council’s heritage overlay, which protects it from inappropriate development and demolition.

• Robert "Rob" James bought the house in 1963 for his wife Merle and their four children. Merle lived there until her death in June 2020.

• The family sold the property for $3.1 million in November 2020, although the land was later estimated to be worth up to $6 million.

• Victoria Police confirmed the house was destroyed in an arson attack in the early hours of December 9, 2023. No charges have been laid and the investigation remains ongoing.

✉️ Council's push: Since February 2024, Boroondara council has urged the State Government to introduce a planning control requiring the house to be faithfully rebuilt.

• However, in a June 25 letter to mayor Wes Gault, the Planning Minister said there was not "sufficient evidence" to show the owner was responsible for the fire or had deliberately allowed the property to deteriorate.

• Councillors unanimously approved a permit this week to demolish and reconstruct the front of the house and build a two-storey rear extension.

💔 Family reaction: Ms James said watching her family home of more than 55 years burn was "gut-wrenching" and "tragic", but the approved plans were "the best we could hope for".

• In a letter she sent to the Planning Minister, she described the government's response as "totally inadequate".

⏭️ What’s next? Before work begins, the owner must enter into a legal agreement with the council requiring the house to be rebuilt in accordance with the approved plans.