609 Skipton Street

This property is on the east side of Skipton Street, between Darling and Leith Streets.

A Victorian era weatherboard house was demolished in November 2021, as part of the expansion on the APCO Service Station complex.

In October 1983 the house was sold for $32,000.
 * In November 1985 the house was sold for $41,000.
 * In July 1998 it was sold for $59,000.
 * In February 2001 it was sold for $82,500.
 * In May 2005 it was sold for $282,000.

The real estate description in 2005: "This superbly renovated Victorian is the complete package. Beautifully restored, re-wired, re-plumbed and re-stumped, stunning decorative cornice, 12ft ceilings & ceiling roses throughout. Comprising four bedrooms, main with ensuite & WIR, formal lounge with open fire place, family bathroom (claw foot bath & double vanity), open kitchen/meals area (s/steel appl. & jarrah bench tops), family living with log fire & french doors opening to fantastic rear decking. Externally: fully enclosed rear yard plus rear property."

The proposal for redeveloping the existing APCO service station will require the demolition of the existing garage buildings and the redevelopment of the site including 609 Skipton Street: "A 24-hour drive-through cafe could be coming to Redan soon, part of a massive expansion planned for the APCO service station on Skipton Street. Planning documents submitted to council reveal a remodelled service station taking over the neighbouring two blocks on Skipton Street, with an expanded convenience restaurant and larger canopy over petrol bowsers...The planning report recommends a permit be issued, noting that despite being in a general residential zone, residential amenity would not be affected...Given the existing use of (the address) as a Service Station and Car Wash, it is considered that the expansion to modernise and incorporate a convenience restaurant is appropriate and will continue to align with the purpose and decision guidelines of the General Residential Zone." The demolition of the property to extend the service station complex raised concerns about the gaps in heritage overlay protection, particularly in the southern part of Ballarat. "Councillor Samantha McIntosh shares residents' concerns, saying a recent Sebastopol overlay study had left gaps in protection which needed to be addressed before the area around the Midland Highway was devoid of any historic character."

Councillor Jim Rinaldi used the demolition to voice concerns about the new Victorian Local Government Act (2020): "The public assumes councillors have a say on every planning decision - what gets knocked down, what house goes up. But this is not the case and the 609 Skipton Street demolition approval is an example."

People
In September 1920 the house was the home to the McKenzie family: "A girl named Joyce M'Kenzie who resides with her parents at 609 Skipton street, fell of a tram car yesterday, and as she appeared to be severely injured she was taken to the hospital. She was in a dazed state, but the resident medical officer on examining her could find no trace of physical injury. Later she was allowed to go home in charge of her parents."