29th March 2022
Deasland was an historic homestead in Gold Creek, it was commissioned by George Harcourt between 1890 and 1893. A six-room, single story timber homestead, which George occupied for a short time before his death in 1893.
The building persevered through over a century of wear, the development of the capital and a major bushfire in 1905, and in 1993 the homestead was heritage listed.
However, in the early 1970’s Mr Fluffy was used to insulate the homestead, leading to its’ inevitable demolition in early March. The most recent long-term owner, the MacKinnon family, bought the property in 1975, likely shortly after it had been contaminated with Mr Fluffy. The family has spent over 46 years maintaining and restoring the historic building. “It is a shame that you’ve got a rare house that had to be dealt with in this way” Mr MacKinnon said. The family are “Very, very disappointed about losing the house, yes – because of its significance both historically and for the family”.
Since the discovery of Mr Fluffy in the home, it has been environmentally cleaned twice in an attempt to remove the contamination. Meter readings were taken before it was earmarked for demolition which showed very low levels of asbestos, but it was still present, so the building was designated for demolition in 2014 along with over 1000 other homes in the ACT. The ACT’s Asbestos Response Taskforce decided demolition was the only enduring solution to the health risks of Mr Fluffy.
A year ago, the MacKinnon family sold the property to a private buyer, after rejecting the ACT government’s buyback offer. The new owner oversaw the demolition in early March. A sign fixed to the fencing around the property shows the current owners’ feelings on the situation. It reads: “Unfortunately this house has to be removed due to Mr Fluffy asbestos. It is not our preference to demolish the house. It is out of our control.”
A total of 25 residential heritage properties have had to be demolished due to Mr Fluffy contamination, of which Deasland is the oldest. Phil Robson, Collections Manager at the Hall School Museum and Heritage Centre, said Deasland’s destruction was a big loss. Mr Robson launched an objection with the minister due to the cultural history and ‘particularly fine example of Australian carpentry, craftsmanship and construction’ and suggested it be remediated to be used as a house museum with casual visitors. But the ACT Heritage Council had already advised it would not object to the demolition in the interests of the health and safety of occupants and visitors.
The Curran family, a prominent family who owned the house for a period in the 1940s and 50s appealed to the ACT government to quarantine a section for a small plaque to acknowledge the history of the homestead and possibly for broader Mr Fluffy commemorations, but said they were knocked back by the Asbestos Response Taskforce.
It is understood the current owners of the property plan to build a single dwelling family home which must conform with any heritage guidelines and its design be considered by the ACT Heritage Council.
References:
129-year-old Deasland homestead demolished to rid Canberra of Mr Fluffy asbestos