THE relocation of one of Goodna’s historic homes to Rosewood will go ahead despite community objections.
Carroll House, which is a pre-1946 dwelling, is proposed to be relocated from 16 Queen Street, Goodna, to Rosewood, which Ipswich City Council has advised is situated within a Character Areas Housing Zone and requires a material change of use development permit.
In September, the Moreton Border News interviewed the grandson of Mary Carroll and owner of the Marburg Hotel Dan Bowden who feared at the time that if the dwelling was moved from its site in Goodna that its story may be lost forever.
Dan explained that the historic home represents many stories of war, heroism and that the Carroll family were involved in the film industry and the arts.
“[The original owners], John and Mary Carroll were also heavily involved in the community at Goodna, their dedication to the area is extremely significant,” he said.
“Amongst their many projects was the St Frances Xavier Catholic Church in Goodna in 1881 which was dedicated to St Patrick; the opening of the first school in Redbank Plains in 1874 and the construction of the first railway line from Ipswich to Grandchester.
“John and Mary’s son, Edward John Carroll, founded the national cinematic chain of Birch Carroll and Coyle, in Ipswich, Toowoomba and other parts of Queensland and Australia.
“So, this is a very significant house for the family and for the area of Goodna.”
Dan outlined the home’s significance to the history of Goodna to the Ipswich City Council and stated that if the house was to move then it should be moved to Warren Park in Goodna or the Goodna Catholic Church should be approached to gain permission to move the home onto church grounds.
“As for the home moving to Rosewood, well my concern is, will the house keep its significance and its historical value to the Goodna area if it is moved to Rosewood?” he said.
Council considered the move in September as part of a development application which, if approved, would result in the home being moved to make way for a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet.
Mayor Teresa Harding said as part of the 2006 planning scheme, Queen Street, Goodna, was determined to be part of a future commercial centre for the Ipswich suburb and was never intended to remain zoned for low-density residential living.
“This was reconfirmed with the 2017 Shaping South East Queensland Regional Plan, which Ipswich City Council agreed to at the time,” she said.
“Carroll House had been listed by the previous council under Schedule 3, Identified Places of Interest, which encouraged the conservation of the house but unfortunately gave council no mandatory protection requirements on this site.
“Unfortunately, previous planning decisions about the Carroll House meant this council was left with no power to compel the owner to retain the property on the Queen Street site.
“The previous council had already decided that Queen Street would form part of a future commercial zone in Goodna, effectively sealing the fate of the Carroll House.
“Every council must use the planning scheme to inform its decision making around future development, and unfortunately the planning decisions of the previous council have led us to this outcome.
“The relocation of Carroll House is the next best outcome where one of the city’s character houses is being retained, albeit in a different but very suitable location.”
