Cleveland heritage cottage moved to Linear Park

The heavy lift started at 4am, with the cottage taken from 204 Middle Street near the RSL to the heritage precinct at 120 Shore Street North.

Shifting heritage buildings is never recommended as they lose a good part of their history in the move but in this case, the building had already been uprooted from its original location.

Related stories: Railway cottage to be moved towards Cleveland Point Thursday morning

The building was relocated by Narangba-based Mackay and Sons House Removals, a company which features on the cable television show Outback Truckers.

Foreman Shane Hughes, who features on the show and oversaw the cottage move, said it was a relatively straight forward job compared with larger houses and long hauls.

“It was slow though and we had to come through the park because of all the (landmark fig and banyan) trees along the road,” he said.

“No trees had to be cut down and we had Energex people with us to hold wires up out of the way.”

Mr Burgess said the cottage was a solid building.

“We left the chimney in it,” he said. “Usually we have to take them out (because of their fragility) but this one was not as old as the house so it was pretty solid.

“We put a frame under it and jack hammered around it.”

Mr Burgess said the building was expected to be restumped on Saturday.

Redland City Council mayor Karen Williams said the cottage was an integral part of Cleveland’s history.

“The cottage was originally located on the Cleveland rail line, which boasted a busy goods yard where farm produce and goods were transported from the Redlands to the Brisbane markets at Woolloongabba,” she said.

“It was built in 1889 when the railway line to Cleveland was opened and was within sight of the former Cleveland Central rail station,” she said.

The cottage would be available for use as a community facility after relocation, with an expression of interest to be advertised.

The RSL wanted the cottage moved to make way for an extension.