Council’s move stuns historical society

Elanora Music House will be completely dismantled after being left to deteriorate at the Rockingham council’s depot in Croker Street, says Rockingham Historical Society treasurer Wendy Durant.

Councillors approved Elanora be dismantled at their monthly meeting on April 27.

Furious at the decision, Ms Durant said she would resign from her role with the historical society.

‘‘I was quite disgusted by the whole thing, I brought up that the building needed covering before winter but it was left to deteriorate,’’ she said.

The house was built by Rockingham pioneer James Bell in 1927 on Rockingham Beach Road.

Elanora Music House, through the council’s own rulings, was deemed a historical building of considerable significance, worthy of a high level of protection.

However, Ms Durant said, the council had been misleading with its intentions regarding the house.

She said it had had a meeting with the Rockingham Historical Society at 4.30pm, prior to the scheduled council meeting that night.

‘‘They told us nothing would be voted on regarding Elanora until May — but they turned around that night and voted to dismantle it anyway,’’she said.

Ms Durant said she was tired of the society being ignored and frustrated by the council’s actions.

‘‘As an advisory group, we are not able to give advice — this frustration has been the last straw.’’