This petition is to seek the urgent protection of the three historically significant homes on Myrtle St Bowral.

As local residents, we have recently received notice from Urban City Certifying of the intentions of the developer owners of 4 Myrtle St to demolish the existing property and build three terrace houses on the land under a complying development certificate. The letter is dated 4 November.  

Recent changes to State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development) 2008, which incorporates the Low Rise Housing Diversity Code provides that under certain conditions developers may demolish old homes and build terraces, flats and townhouses without needing to go through the normal council approval process.  As residents, it's also very difficult to object to the developments.  In fact, they now only need to give residents 14 days notice before demolishing an existing property.  As the properties in question hold R3 Zoning - no DA is needed unless they are protected under Heritage Conservation. 

The three side by side houses are beautiful examples of Bowral post-War homes and were built by renowned architect and builder, Alf Stephens.   Alf Stephens homes are synonymous with character and charm of much of Old Bowral. Number 6 Myrtle St has recently been renovated and is not under threat.  However number 2 is not renovated and may also be a candidate for demolition and development of townhouses.

We are deeply concerned about the demolition of these and other beautiful, historical homes in the area.   The three houses in Myrtle St take up the entire easterly side of the street and without them, we would just be left with a street of townhouses and only one freestanding home on that side of the street.  Importantly, the changes to the Code means that more development of this kind can go unchecked throughout the region.

We would like to implore the Wingecarribee Council to make an urgent interim heritage order to these houses, with a view that all three could potentially be safeguarded by heritage listing within the Wingecarribee Local Environmental Plan 2010.  We also think the NSW Government needs to consider the impact of the Code changes to areas like Bowral.

Please show your support and sign now so that Council may protect these and other properties like it.