Hi Nicola

We recently purchased a quirky home which now has been identified as a possible heritage site. Any ideas on how and on what grounds people in a similar situation have fought the council. All information and advice is that our property will devalue and our options will be limited in the future for sale. It is prime land in a very central location. I would love to hear yours or others thoughts on this. Our property is in the Frankston shire. Regards Sharleen

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I went through the stress of opposing a heritage listing on my home in Victoria in 2014-2016 I am happy to talk through my unsuccessful attempt so email me and I can phone you. Someone in the heritage industry warned me off spending $10k on a heritage architect to challenge the Council or State heritage "expert" as chance of success so limited The heritage cabal perpetuate myth that listing doesn't impact value of land and property It does in case of individual house as opposed to a house in heritage precinct ,But heritage say our big loss is irrelevant Which is so unfair given how much house prices have increased and biggest asset We shouldn't sustain a big devaluation to benefit the community The author talks of grants avail to maintain Here nothing like amounts she suggests and conditions attached Read good 2017 report commissioned by vic govt on heritage by SGS economics and planning Pty Ltd Survey Engine where they say that majority of community now think it's unfair that owners of heritage homes should carry the responsibility and all entailed and Govt should help I reckon there should be compensation formula worked out Interestingly and disingenuously this SGS report does not address the financial penalties of having heritage listing Too controversial and secretive These days because price obtained at sale of property is based on subdivision potential ie land value then heritage owners suffer significantly It was so stressful for me the whole process and outcome I was diagnosed in severe heart failure six weeks after final outcome announced Impact on owners health " irrelevant "

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I find these comments perplexing. If you are unsure about what heritage means or that someone completely unskilled in the field or that of law or planning (and no ego is not a skill) would buy an old property in the first place simply amazes me. In a world where heritage areas and houses have been the norm for over 50 years, in one way or another, its the same as everything else-caveat emptor. Would you buy 20K car without having it checked out by a mechanic, so why by a big buck house without visiting the Council or getting some expert opinion if your planning to buy in an older area? The plain truth is lots of people buy into older areas because of the high visual amenity, but are themselves unwilling to contribute to that area.

Expecting to buy an older house and simply demolish it as it would be easier is foolish. And several studies confirm that there are financial benefits in owning heritage list properties and certainly no losses despite the property industries mantra and a narrow accountants view of objects and places and economic `things'.

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