The City of Gosnells and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage appear to be bending their own rules when it comes to the repair notice issued to Golden Group over the Maddington Homestead.
Golden Group were issued a repair notice on May 18, 2021 and were required to commence the repair works on the dilapidated, heritage listed Maddington Homestead within six months – November 18 – with the works to be completed within two years of the initial six months.
In January, A Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage [DPLH} spokesperson said the Golden Group had applied to the City of Gosnells for a building permit to undertake the required work and therefore had satisfied the requirement of “commencing” the works within the six month timeframe.
Information provided by the City of Gosnells contradicts this statement.
According to the City, the Golden Group lodged their building permit on November 26 – eight days after the six-month deadline expired.
It’s a fact the DPLH refused to acknowledge in a response to Examiner Newspapers.
“Golden Group was directed to commence the repair works within six months of the repair notice being issued with the works to be completed within two years of the initial six months (i.e. 18 November 2023),” a spokesperson said.
“The Department and the Heritage Council continue to work closely with the Golden Group to ensure the completion of the repair works.”
When asked if the DPLH would acknowledge that Golden Group missed the deadline, the DPLH said they had nothing further to add.
DPLH aren’t the only party bending the rules, however.
The City has not approved Golden Group’s building permit, three months after it was submitted.
The City said it was in the process of seeking further information from Golden Group on the application, with that request officially made on December 2.
The City of Gosnells website, in relation to building permits, reads, ““If further information is required a formal request may be made in writing (email or letter) and the information is to be provided within 21 calendar days to avoid refusal. “
City of Gosnells chief executive Ian Cowie said that while a 21-day timeframe was initially set, the City is continuing to work with the Golden Group regarding the submission.
He denied the rules were being bent for Golden Group.
“The City is not ignoring its own rules,” he said.
“The City needs adequate information from applicants to make an informed decision on a permit application.
“The City has advised the Golden Group what is required and is waiting on the applicant to finalise the building permit application before a decision can be made.
“The proposed works relate to a building which is more than 160 years old, and for that reason structural considerations are very complicated and unique.”
