VISITORS hoping to step inside the newly restored Willards Farm will have to wait a little longer, with Redland City Council confirming there is still no set date for the community opening of the historic site.
While restoration work on the heritage-listed farmhouse and outbuildings has been completed, the finishing touches – namely landscaping and amenities – are still progressing, with wet weather and Tropical Cyclone Alfred causing delays.
The delay in announcing an opening date has left some locals wondering when they’ll finally get to explore the historic site firsthand.
Birkdale Progress Association President Pam Spence said she had repeatedly called Council seeking updates.
“I’m very concerned it might just be a private opening or viewing,” she said.
“It should involve the public because there’s been a lot of public concern about that whole building.”
Ms Spence said Willards Farm would provide a wonderful comparison with Ormiston House.
“That shows how a wealthy sugarcane farmer like Louis Hope lived, whereas Willards was built by yeoman farmers who learnt their skills cutting timber at Kedron,” she said.
“You can still see the original cutting marks on the pillars underneath the house – the adze tool work.”
Ms Spence said she had visited the homestead before it was owned by Council and hoped its restoration would help celebrate the area’s working-class heritage.
“It’s a beautiful old house. We’ve got old photos and memories of the old dairy and the original walls of the garage,” she said.
“From what I’ve seen from the outside, it doesn’t look like they’ve been put back.”
Meanwhile, Redlands2030 President Steve MacDonald urged Council to speed up the public opening.
“It’s taken nearly a decade to complete this restoration,” he said.
“It’s particularly important to recognise community members who have advocated for this project from the start to save the area from being another subdivision.
“We hope the opening celebrations will be open to all locals to share in the preservation of an important chapter of Redlands history.”
The restoration included the farmhouse itself, as well as the milking shed, creamery, garage, inground well and elevated water tank.
Former Redland City Mayor Karen Williams described the homestead as a project close to the heart of many.
“After nearly a decade of lobbying the Commonwealth Government in Canberra, the 60-hectare site was finally secured by Council to prevent it being sold off for 400 houses,” Mrs Williams said.
“This has paved the way for Willards Farm to form a striking gateway to the Birkdale Community Precinct.”
However, Ms Spence questioned Mrs Williams’ sincerity, pointing out that in December 2015 she was one of three councillors who voted against its purchase – a move that, had it succeeded, would have led to the demolition of the Willard buildings to make way for housing.
The property was purchased by Council in 2016 for $1.45 million after it was flagged for demolition.
A Redland City Council spokesperson said the historic Willards Farm homestead was expected to open to the public later this year.
“Activities regarding the opening are currently being considered,” they said.
