But this week demolition began on the historic property at 83 Church Street to make way for four new residential units. Council voted in August to approve the demolition as part of their plan to get more people living in central Maitland.

It came despite strong protest from heritage conservationist Chris Richards who felt the demolition would  "open the floodgates” for development of the city’s aged buildings.

He said at the time that the decision by council was “different” to previous council agreements to knock down heritage zone buildings. “This property is in good restorable order and in a conservation zone,” he said. 

- Lachlan Leeming