Sept 2025 edition – Calls to save cultural heritage not sell it

Rashelle Predovnik

Connors Cottage is at the centre of a showdown, as Arts Toodyay rallies the community to stop its sale and transform the historic home into a thriving community hub. Photo: Rashelle Predovnik.

THE FIGHT to save Connors Cottage has ramped up, with Arts Toodyay collecting letters of support that urge the shire to stop its sale and transform the landmark into a vibrant community hub.

The cottage, on 5 Piesse Street sits in the central Toodyay heritage area and the letters marked a new push in a campaign to protect one of Toodyay’s most historic community assets.

It’s history spans back to 1861, when Irishman Daniel Connor bought the land and later built his home.

He arrived as a convict in 1853 and rose to become one of the district’s most influential figures.

The shire bought Connors Cottage in 2006 and in 2016 council supported leasing it to a business.

However, the 2025–26 draft budget, which proposed a 2.2 per cent rate rise, included the sale of the property.

Council adopted the budget in July, confirming the sale of Connors Cottage and other shire assets including the historic O’Reilly’s Cottage (built around 1897), 108 Stirling Terrace and 19A & B Clinton Street.

In total, those sales were forecast to deliver more than $2.2 million to the shire.

The sale of Connors Cottage almost slipped through the budget unnoticed because it was not clearly identified in this year’s budget – listed instead under a generic descriptor: disposal of ‘buildings (non-specialised)’.

Its identity, and impending sale, only became clear during public question time.

The proposal to sell Connor’s Cottage was also not advertised for public comment.

Arts Toodyay is pushing to have community voices heard.

Newly-appointed Arts Toodyay president Chelle Ellery said the cottage could be transformed into a vibrant arts hub that supported local groups and boosted cultural tourism along the popular Avon Arts Trail.

She said their vision went far beyond one organisation.

“We want Connors Cottage to be a place where all sorts of groups can come together,
create, and connect.”

Ms Ellery said if the sale went through it would be a lost opportunity for the community.

She said the cottage stood next to Connor’s Mill and the visitors centre as part of a mini ‘history hub’ in Toodyay.

Adding many in the community were also questioning the sale, especially when Toodyay already faced a shortage of spaces and infrastructure for community groups.

Ms Ellery said as a heritage building, Connor’s Cottage needed care and ongoing maintenance but Toodyay has never shied away from rolling up its sleeves.

“Local tradespeople are already pledging in-kind support, and heritage and arts grants are available to help with the heavy lifting,” she said.

“At its core, this decision isn’t just about dollars and cents – it’s about culture and community.”

Ms Ellery said she was grateful for the three successful grant applications awarded by the shire this year which helped Arts Toodyay deliver an exhibition, an arts trail and community workshops.

“Unfortunately, much of the workshop grant gets returned to the shire in the form of venue hire fees,” she said.

“This again, highlights the pressing need for a dedicated community arts space.”

Ms Ellery said across the central Wheatbelt, towns like Northam, York and Beverley had thriving arts communities, supported by shire-backed facilities.

Toodyay risked being left behind.

“Arts Toodyay already delivers a busy calendar of workshops, exhibitions, and community programs. With a permanent home, that program could grow even stronger,” she said.

“Next year, Arts Toodyay has been invited to join the inaugural Avon Arts Trail, a regional initiative that will draw visitors, boost tourism and showcase local talent.

“But for Toodyay to take its rightful place on the map, we need a base of operations a visible, central hub that can anchor our work and welcome the wider community.”

Although this item was not listed on the council’s agenda this month, Ms Ellery emailed all councillors urging them to hit the ‘pause’ button for the sale.

In response, the shire’s CEO Aaron Bowman confirmed councillors had received her email.

He explained that while councillors could move a revocation motion to overturn the sale, late items could not be added to the agenda under the council’s meeting rules.

Cr Rosemary Madacsi disagreed.

She tried to raise the item as ‘a matter of urgent business’ at the August council meeting but this was not allowed for a number of reasons.

Despite this, councillors still have an avenue to reconsider the sale of Connor’s Cottage.

Under section 5.28 of the Local Government Act, any councillor may call a special council meeting to revoke a previous decision.

Particularly as no contract of sale has yet been entered into for Connor’s Cottage.

However, the process requires the signatures of at least three councillors to bring the cottage back onto the agenda.

The Herald can confirm that no councillor has taken this step and Ms Ellery said she was surprised by the inaction.

“I am surprised that our council has not taken this opportunity to rethink repurposing such an amazingly located shire asset for the community.”