Epic Building Group founder and owner Petar Jurkovich wants to knock down the 17-room Estcourt House at Tennyson, which was built in 1882, and construct 60 village units on the site.
But the backlash from residents and historians has attracted strong political support, with Labor MP Stephen Mullighan starting the petition on 14 January. “This has to be stopped,” it states.
Epic Building Group specialises in local residential and commercial developments – this would be Mr Jurkovich’s first retirement village.
He argues that the village will restore the original purpose of the home to provide a home for the elderly and the upkeep of the building was “very high and increases every year”.
Mr Jurkovich, who owns demolition company Royal Park Salvage, spent $1.6 million renovating the mansion in 2000 after it was vandalised.
