Council to breathe new life into historic farm
URGENT work will start on one of the Redlands oldest surviving farms and residences in an effort to prevent further damage from rain and termites.
The work will begin on the 1863 Willard’s Farm on Cleveland Road East, Birkdale, as part of a Redland City Council conservation management plan.
Council voted to do the work despite concerns raised by Cr Paul Gleeson that too much money might be spent on the project.
Cr Gleeson that although everyone loved history, $1.45 million was spent by council buying the heritage place in March without community consultation, a factor that concerned him.
He said that once the farm and its outbuildings had been restored it would likely have cost the community $2.5 million and by then about half the building would have been replaced with new materials due to rot and termite damage.
Crs Paul Bishop and Wendy Boglary defended the work, saying such places should be saved for the community and an example was Ormiston House which at one stage was recommended for demolition by an architect.
Cr Boglary said that at one stage Ormiston House had trees growing through the structure but was now a major tourism money spinner for the district thanks to a religious order that decided it should stay.
Redland chief executive Bill Lyon said the Willard's Farm Conservation Management Plan included immediate work to keep the property safe and prevent further damage as well as a strategy for long-term upgrades and maintenance.
"This property is included on council's heritage register and holds historical significance for the community and (this) decision will help to keep that history alive," Mr Lyon said.
"(Works) include clearing vegetation and debris, minor repairs to structures, diverting water away from buildings and carrying out a pest inspection."
Mr Lyon said a heritage architect would also be engaged to ensure historical artefacts were protected.
"There may be some significant artefacts, including old dump sites, a child's grave and garden bed," he said. "...Existing landscaping will be reinstated and the site tidied up so it is safe and reflects its historical significance."
A stakeholder group would be formed to advise on long-term management and use.
Willard’s Farm has a house, dairy and slab huts. It has also been known as The Pines and Cotton’s Farm. The Queensland Heritage Council refused an application to historically list the property in September last year.