A 1920s heritage-listed shopfront will be restored to its former glory after a technical glitch on a government website resulted in its partial and unlawful demolition.
The three-bedroom property at 30 Wilpena Tce, Kilkenny sold under the hammer for $461,000 on Sunday to first homebuyers James Chambers and Kayla Roe, who outbid 15 other registered buyers, vying for an opportunity to secure the renovator’s delight.
The property, which had been described as a T!%# on its listings ad, made national headlines over the past month, after it was revealed a “glitch” on the PlanSA website incorrectly advised the vendor that no approval was needed to clear the site.
RELATED: Property owner forced to sell heritage-listed shopfront after gov website “glitch’’
First homebuyers James Chambers and Kayla Roe were the winning bidders. Image/Russell Millard Photography
The auction attracted a massive crowd. Image/Russell Millard Photography
The property sold under the hammer for $461,000 – $111,000 above its auction price guide. Image/Russell Millard Photography
Selling agent Jo Lawless of Creative Real Estate said the costly mistake had left the vendor $13,000 out of pocket and with no other choice but to list the property for sale, after a subsequent application for demolition was rejected at last month’s council assessment panel meeting.
“It was a glitch between the (Charles Sturt) Council and PlanSA (computing systems). The systems weren’t talking to each other…and he went on the planning website…and was told council permission was not required to demolish.
“So he called in the demolishers and they got one wrecking ball in and…in comes the council (to halt demolition work).
“He just thought he would get more (money) for the land (if it was sold as a vacant allotment).”
MORE NEWS: Major twist in Aussie religious neighbour dispute
A screenshot of the Plan SA website, clearly showing that demolition approval was not needed for 30 Wilpena Tce, Kilkenny. Picture: Supplied.
An interior shot of the partially demolished shop.
The property’s former kitchen.
Ms Lawless said the situation had been heartbreaking for the vendor who had found some solace in the fact that the property would pass to a young couple, eager to put in the work.
“First homebuyers picked it up and they had been renting in Tusmore for the last eight years and finally picked up their first home,” she said.
“He a tradie, a carpenter by trade, so we’ve allowed him access to the property from now until settlement as we think that it’s important that there will be coming and going, so that there are no more squatters or people looking to do further damage.
“So we’re thrilled with the outcome…and we’re ending all of this on a positive note.”
Ms Lawless adds her “tongue-in-cheek’’ ad on realestate.com.au had helped generated enormous interest in the property.
In part, the listing states: “Who says you can’t polish a T!%#” and “If you laugh at these pictures you are not a nice person’’.
“It got a lot of attention. A lot of views online.”
Speaking to The Advertiser after the auction, Mr Chambers said he and his partner had been trying to break into the market for well over a year.
He said the couple planned to turn the property into a rental, before making it their family home.
“Getting into the market has been incredibly hard and we’re really excited but definitely wouldn’t have been able to go much higher (than the final bid) as there is still a fair bit of money to be spent even with us doing a lot of the renovations ourselves.”
MORE NEWS
$20k bargain fails to sell at auction
‘Shock’ plan: Man needs $12m tunnel to get home
Council ignores residents, approves mega shed
Auctioneer Vincent Doran said the property represented good value in an up-and-coming suburb previously overlooked by buyers.
Property data shows a fully renovated three-bedroom home at 32 Wilpena Tce recently sold for $908,000, while other houses in the suburb tend to sell between $745,000 and $860,000.
“The final sell price was definitely lower than other property and on paper, it’s a really good buy but there will be a lot of money involved to get it back to standard.
“(But), I think it’s a real investor hotspot. There’s been a massive flow on effect from Croydon and West Croydon…and I think this is a pocket that will see serious growth over the next couple of years.”
English (US) · 