General News
23 June, 2024
Order to dismantle 'our Taj Mahal'
A WEDDERBURN couple faces an uncertain future after being ordered to demolish a shed on the outskirts of town that they have made their home for four years. Dave Cook and Sally Armstrong bought the Bobseins Hill Road property in late 2019, making it...
A WEDDERBURN couple faces an uncertain future after being ordered to demolish a shed on the outskirts of town that they have made their home for four years.
Dave Cook and Sally Armstrong bought the Bobseins Hill Road property in late 2019, making it their base when COVID hit and employment in Ballarat and Castlemaine ended.
Finding local work as a farmhand, Dave started to build the shed with recycled materials. Sally gained work at the local fish and chip shop.
They admit not having first gained a permit for the shed that became their home after living in a small caravan on the land.
“It’s not the Taj Mahal but it is our home,” Sally said. “We are comfortable here, it’s warm in winter and cool in summer.”
The couple is disappointed with the sudden order to vacate the land and council giving them no hope to discuss applying for a retrospective permit.
“We were living in a 12-foot caravan ... we needed something better, we owned the land and we have nowhere else to go,” said Dave.
“We’ve been told we have two weeks to vacate and remove the shed otherwise it will be demolished.
“We might be able to borrow a caravan but we won’t be able to live on the block.
“It’s a sad position to be in but we have support from our neighbours.”
Dave and Sally said they were confused about not living on land they owned when there was a housing crisis. “It doesn’t make sense.”
Sally said: “It’s disheartening as we like living here, the quiet lifestyle and room for our goats.
“I understand we did the wrong thing by not getting a permit but we want to work with council and resolve this.”
The couple say they have spent about $35,000 creating their home in the shed but if materials had to be sold, they might get back $20,000.
“And if we sell the block, we’re only handballing a problem to someone else,” said Dave pointing to the heavily scoured dirt track that leads to their front gate.
Dave said the condition of the road had been raised in conversations with council and he had offered to make any needed repairs. “Nobody wants to listen. We’ve been told to get out.”
According to Dave and Sally, they have until Monday to demolish the shed and find another place to live.
Loddon Shire Council was contacted for comment on property compliance inspections.