A century-old federation home in Sydney’s Inner West faces demolition for five new dwellings in its place, sparking fierce backlash from locals condemning the “appalling” heritage destruction.
A Facebook post by Sydney Explained shared that the Burwood home, also known as Moonya (c. 1915), could be knocked down following a development application submitted to Burwood Council in February this year.
The proposal requests for the demolition of the existing structure to construct a multi-dwelling housing development containing five new dwellings.
With Woodside Avenue known for its historic streetscape, many have been left outraged over the lack of heritage protection for the home.
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Sydney Explained Facebook post. Pictures: Facebook
The facade of the home
With over 300 reactions and 123 current comments online, one user commented “this is appalling” while others labelled the new design as “hideous” and another calling them “cement boxes.”
Currently, 23 users have also shared the post, labelling the move as a “pity” and another user stating the plans were killing off heritage for money in an “indictment on our society”, adding “the government has failed and we are creating an ugly greed driven city in its place.”
The five-bedroom, two-bathroom home at 33 Woodside Avenue, Burwood was listed for sale via Montana’s John Cannizzaro and James Montano described as a “blank canvas in a prized Burwood pocket.”
The federation home is also known as Moonya
It sits surrounded by a historic streetscape
The proposed plans posted on the Facebook post
The home, tightly held by the same family for almost a century was offered to the market for the first time in 84 years, selling in March 2025 for $4.98m.
The listing stated has been “largely untouched and just waiting for your imagination to run wild.”
Currently, the application is in progress.
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