A prominent Berwick property once home to the Poulton family has become a symbol of neglect, sparking growing frustration over stalled development, rumours of contamination, and heritage oversight.
The Poulton family operated a trucking business for decades from the large site on north-east corner of Princes Highway and Manuka Road Berwick, a landmark familiar to many locals.
A local heritage advocate (who wished to remain anonymous) recalled the first meeting the family in the 1970s, when Berwick’s eastern hill was largely undeveloped and the highway was the main route to Gippsland.
The Berwick resident said the site’s decline began well before the pandemic.
“Initial complaints about this property were lodged prior to Covid,” the advocate said. “Residents were concerned about the appearance of the property (e.g. seemingly abandoned trucks; trees that presented a possible fire hazard) and eventually a major clean-up occurred, before the property was subdivided.”
Years ago, the land was carved into residential blocks, and ‘SOLD’ stickers appeared on most of them. However, no homes were ever built. Over time, outbuildings were removed, trees cleared, and the front section of the original weatherboard house collapsed. A large tarpaulin now covers the remaining structure, shielding it from the elements.
The disbanding of Casey Council’s Conservation Advisory Committee has left residents without the avenues they once relied on to get clear information.
“Members of the local National Trust Branch have found it difficult to get definitive answers from anyone on this issue,” the advocate said.
“Indeed, since the Conservation Advisory Committee was disbanded, very few heritage matters have been referred to our Branch.”
Nearby developments have highlighted the importance of effective consultation.
“A group of residents from this part of Berwick has been in constant communication with Council over Manuka Road matters, but their focus lately has been on the area surrounding Clover Cottage (opposite Berwick Secondary College),” the advocate said.
“We argued that protective covenants were in the wrong locations and readily accepted the Panel’s decision that a protective covenant on all of the northern property was not needed; we were particularly delighted that the panel demanded protection of the Clover Cottage restaurant and gardens.”
In contrast, the Poulton site remains unresolved.
A City of Casey spokesperson said “the site is under a Heritage Overlay, recognising the Poulton Edwardian Cottage’s local significance. Controls apply to the house’s exterior and the treed garden”.
“A current Planning Permit exists for the land (PA22-0256, Eight Lot Subdivision and Removal of Vegetation and Removal of Shed within the Heritage Overlay), which requires the heritage building to be retained. Council considered heritage and potential site contamination when issuing the permit. Plans are viewable by appointment at Bunjil Place, and heritage compliance concerns can be raised via our customer service: https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/contact-us
“A condition of the permit includes a Conservation Works Plan. Council will oversee the restoration of the building in line with the conditional approval of the subdivision. We appreciate that the condition of the building is poor, which is why the requirement to restore the building was put in place. The Casey Heritage Reference Group now provides general heritage advice, replacing the former advisory committee. The Casey-Cardinia Libraries Local History Reference Group also supports heritage discussions across both municipalities.”
