A dilapidated cottage in Trevallyn, Tasmania, is being offered for free to anyone willing to relocate and restore it, in a last-ditch effort to save it from the wrecking ball.
But there’s a significant catch: this isn’t just a fixer-upper; it’s a monumental undertaking, with an estimated repair bill hovering around the $400,000 mark.
The abandoned home, believed to be nearly a century old, has stood empty since 2023.
Its vacancy followed alarming air quality tests revealing extensive mould contamination and structural reports detailing a litany of defects.
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The City of Launceston is now calling for expressions of interest from individuals or groups prepared to shoulder the substantial costs of moving and rehabilitating the historic dwelling.
If a suitable saviour isn’t found, demolition awaits.
62 Gorge Road Trevallyn, Tasmania is being given away for free by the Launceston Council but the deal comes with a major catch. Source: Google Maps
The eleventh-hour reprieve comes courtesy of Launceston Councillor Tim Walker, who successfully amended a council motion that would have sealed the cottage’s fate.
“Does anyone want a house?” Walker posted on Facebook, appealing to the community.
“The recommendation was to demolish, but I’m hoping someone will see the potential of moving it to a new location and give it a new lease of life.”
Council documents paint a grim picture of the cottage’s condition.
A structural assessment uncovered uneven floors, rotting timber, cracking walls and ceilings, fire-damaged flooring, and “springing floors” throughout.
Compounding these issues is the pervasive “abnormal settled mould ecology” affecting the air quality, rendering it uninhabitable.
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Mould on the home’s ceiling. Source: City of Launceston
The home’s ceiling also has multiple cracks. Source: City of Launceston
Despite its severely compromised state, Cr Walker remains optimistic about preserving a piece of Launceston’s built heritage.
“Time is running out for Trevallyn Cottage,” he wrote, noting that the deadline for expressions of interest has been extended by 10 days to June 10.
“I am still hopeful that someone who has the land to put it on will see value in this opportunity, not only to get a house, but to restore a little piece of Launceston’s built heritage.”
Outside, wooden window frames are rotting. Source: City of Launceston
Council images show there’s also some damage to internal walls. Source: City of Launceston
For former tenant Greta John, the cottage holds deep sentimental value and is worth fighting for.
Greta and her children were the last family to reside in the home before being forced to leave due to its unsafe condition.
“Even though it was rundown, I still loved that house,” she commented on Walker’s post.
“It housed many, many families.”
She added that the cottage should’ve been listed decades ago and preserved.
“It has a bygone charm and history that is relevant to Trevallyn, that not many know about,” she said.
“It’s very sad. I still drive past it twice a week and I always look at it to make sure it’s still intact.”
An old listings photo of the bathroom. Source: realestate.com.au
While the home needs works, it features plenty of character features throughout. Source: realestate.com.au
Community sentiment, however, remains divided.
Many question the feasibility of salvaging the structure, with some suggesting that allowing people to reclaim materials for other restoration projects might be a more practical approach. “TBH the council has already made up their mind, and it will be demolished, as the easiest option,” one Facebook user remarked.
Another suggested, “If it ends up for demolition could you at least let people safely remove materials they need for their own homes? Rather than a smash-up.”
The cottage’s future now hangs in the balance, contingent on a willing applicant stepping forward.
Interested parties must demonstrate they possess suitable land, the necessary financial resources to complete the project, and a comprehensive plan covering transport, permits, remediation works, and the building’s intended future use.
It’s a colossal challenge, but for the right person, it could be an extraordinary opportunity to breathe new life into a forgotten piece of Tasmanian history.
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