The City of Swan received a proposal for the demolition of the Ranges Inn on Great Eastern Highway, which would be replaced with a 24-hour service station comprising 10 pumps, a shop, workshop and nine parking bays.
Midland-Guildford ward councillor and Liberal candidate for the state seat of Midland, Daniel Parasiliti, said many residents were against the proposal.
“Magnitudes of passionate residents have strongly expressed their objections to this demolition of an iconic landmark,” he said. “This is evident in the recently created Facebook group Save the Darling Range Hotel, which has attracted close to 1000 followers in just over three days.”
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READ NOWFormerly known as The Darling Range Hotel, the local favourite was built in 1903 and became fully licensed in 1905.
It took first owner Thomas Wilken two years to receive approval for a liquor licence, after many failed attempts.
“You can understand why such a long standing building – despite being in need of some love – is so significant to the fabric of Bellevue,” Mr Parasiliti said.
A BP service station is located on the same side of Great Eastern Highway, less than 200m away, and a Caltex station is just across the road from the BP.
“Residents are questioning why such an icon would be destroyed to make way for a Coles Express service station literally right next to two other service stations,” Mr Parasiliti said. “I’m becoming increasingly concerned of the lack of protection of heritage landmarks.”
The City of Swan will lodge a report on an upcoming JDAP proposal on the demolition. Submissions close October 21.