Travel plans for a piece of Tewantin heritage

If houses could speak, Tait Duke cottage would have quite a story to tell. 

Built in the middle of Tewantin in 1919 for Charles Tait and Emma Duke, this important piece of local heritage was moved temporarily to Wallace Park in 2009, and now it may be on the move again to a new home just down the road.

Noosa Council is keen to find the cottage a suitable resting place as quickly as possible, one that benefits the Tewantin community and brings a smile to the face of Miss Esme Tait, who gifted her beloved home to the community ten years ago.

Council tonight agreed to pave the way for a move to what might eventually be the cottage's final resting place, vacant land at 14 to 18 Earl Street in Tewantin just off Hilton Terrace.

A review of the current placement of the cottage on the village green at Wallace Park found that it's out of place there, with no heritage connection to the area and often mistaken for Wallace House.

One possible home was identified in Earl Street, but the long-term possibility of a new connecting road, the Gibson Road extension, stood in the way.

Council traffic experts have reviewed the issue and said that the extension won't be needed for at least 20-years, if at all.

Councillors agreed with the advice and voted to allow the Earl street site to be used for community services, at least for the next 20-years, and that could mean a new home for the old cottage and the community groups keen to use it.

Several local community groups have already expressed an interest in how the cottage should be refurbished and used in the future.

Council is now keen to see expressions of interest in using the cottage and in where it should be located.  Those interested can take part in an external viewing of the cottage next week.

Expressions of interest by 12pm, Friday 9th May.   Tender documents on the council's website:   www.noosa.qld.gov.au  or contact Kylie Finigan, Community Development Officer.  ph. 5329 6459.

4 April 2014