Cottages' history recognised

The Department of Land and Water Conservation has officially recognised the historical significance of the cottages at Dark Corner in Patonga.

The cottages had previously been destined for demolition when vacated by the current occupants.

Council's heritage committee recommended the cottages remained as items of environmental heritage provided that one of the vacant cottages was upgraded.

Ten cottages were built in the 1920s, with seven surviving ones being declared historically significant in 1982.

Tenure was by way of leases granted by the Department of Land and Water Conservation.

In 1996 the National Trust classified the cottages.

According to Council's director of development and the environment, Mr John Murray, three cottages were lawfully occupied, two were unlawfully occupied and one was vacant.

The department called for expressions of interest in the cottages' future and received two.

However, both expressions were unacceptable to the department and the department asked Council to take control.

The department will demolish the vacant cottage if Council does not take control of the building.

Council decided to investigate this option.

Carl Spears, August 16