By Laura Michell
Mernda’s historic Mayfield Farmhouse will be partially demolished to improve the safety of the building which was damaged by fire last year.
A fire broke out at the Plenty Road homestead shortly after midnight on November 12, causing significant damage to the building.
The homestead was built in the 1850s by Moses Thomas – one of Mernda’s founding fathers.
The property is part of a large heritage lot that includes a dairy and surrounding farm complex. Much of the site is slated to become part of the Mernda Town Centre, which is being developed by Land Capital.
An application for a planning permit for the propping of walls and partial demolition of the farmhouse was presented to the June 2 Whittlesea council meeting in response to a ‘make safe’ order which was issued by the council’s municipal building surveyor following the fire.
A report to the council meeting said the building would be made safe in two stages.
Stage one will include the propping of the walls and removal of the roof to ensure it is stable to allow closer analysis of the damage caused by the fire. Stage two will involve the partial demolition of the farmhouse where it is deemed structurally unsafe.
“A structural engineer’s report concludes that the farmhouse is able to be restored and that there are some elements that may need to be demolished to ensure its stability,” the report sated.
Council administrator Lydia Wilson approved the planning permit, saying the works were needed to ensure there was “no further disrepair” to the Mayfield Farmhouse.
