WINGECARRIBEE Council has refused a subdivision application that would have more than trebled the area of historic Retford Park to be bequeathed to the public by philanthropist James Fairfax.
Mr Fairfax plans to leave Retford Park House and its surrounding land and garden in trust to be viewed by future generations. He has also provided to bequeath a sum of money to be invested to maintain the house and property.
Retford Park is currently held in two titles, an 8.5 hectare lot containing the 1880s Italianate revival-style mansion, its outbuildings, gardens and driveway, and an adjoining 78 hectare property.
Mr Fairfax sought approval for a subdivision to increase the area surrounding Retford Park House to 31.62 hectares.
Council planners recommended to last week’s meeting that the departure from Council’s minimum lot size of 40 hectares be approved, subject to approval from the Department of Planning.
However, Council refused the application on the grounds that increasing the area around the house would split the remaining 56.02 hectares into two parcels of land on either side of Retford Park House lots.
Greens councillors Jim Clark said that the subdivision would result in the creation of three, not two, parcels of land, with the possibility that the divided block could be sold under two separate titles in future.
Cr Larry Whipper also questioned whether the subdivision could be justified on the grounds of “public benefit” and whether Mr Fairfax could benefit in future from the sale of the remaining land
But Council’s development control manager Les Pawlak said the smaller parcels would still be one lot under one title, despite the fact that it was in two parts.
“There are two existing lots and there’ll still be two existing lots,” he said.
Mr Pawlak said the purpose of the application was to preserve the culture, heritage and environment of Retford Park.
“Retford Park is an item of State Significance and to increase the curtilage of a State Significant heritage item is a good reason for departure [from the 40ha minimum],” he said.
Cr Juliet Arkwright, while agreeing that the application should be considered on its merits, said Mr Fairfax and his family had been genuine philanthropists to the people of Australia for more than 100 years.
“I think it unkind to suggest otherwise,” she said.
Cr Arkwright, Mayor Duncan Gair and Cr David Stranger voted against Cr Paul Tuddenham’s motion that the application be refused.
Cr Gair said there was a definite benefit in altering the boundaries.
While later on there might be a request to split the remaining parcel of land into smaller lots, the current proposal would protect Retford House in perpetuity, he said.
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