Sydney razes heritage home under housing law while sister thrives at $6M
A 60-year-old Marrickville family home was demolished while a similar neighbour's home sold for $6 million.
Two Federation homes in Marrickville, ten minutes' walk apart, took very different paths. One was restored and now sells for around $6 million.
The other, cared for by the same family for more than 60 years, was demolished to rubble. Ravenscraig fell under Complying Development.
This is a state process that sidesteps council approval. NSW's Low and Mid Rise housing policy allowed demolition.
The house wasn't on the heritage list or in a protected area. The loss sparked viral outrage on social media.
Architects complained that strict heritage rules apply to renovators. Yet those same rules cannot block demolition of significant heritage homes.
Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne called it a tragedy and promised reform. From January 2027, the council will make approvals simpler and strengthen heritage protections for areas like Marrickville.
- 60 years
- Family ownership
- $6 million
- Neighbour's sale price
- 61,000
- Forgotten Sydney followers
Why it mattersSydney's housing law can demolish important heritage buildings even without heritage listing. Council reform aims to balance new housing growth with protection of old buildings.
AustraliaSydney homeowners in unprotected areas now face easier demolition under state policy; local controls tighten from January 2027.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 d ago
