FREMANTLE council’s planning committee has once again rejected a request to demolish an old outdoor dunny, saying it was too important to Fremantle’s heritage.

The owner of a house on Attfield Street wanted the dunny gone to add a double story and an extension to the back of their Federation cottage.

Council staff had argued the demolition would breach the City’s Local Planning Policy for historical buildings which aimed to protect outbuildings such as dunnies, laundries or stables from the wreckers.

Their report said the thunderbox was built circa 1907-08 from materials including limestone, brick and galvanised iron roofing.

The owner claims the outhouse is too far gone to salvage: “Unfortunately I am on a tight budget and would love to restore to its optimum condition for purpose use,” they said in their application.

Design Freo founder Pippa Hurst said these old buildings share a lot of history and can tell “a lot of stories”.

“Something that is physically deteriorated can still have heritage value,” Ms Hurst said.

“The structure is only a part of the story; the heritage value is also in what that structure represents.”

by MARTIN RASCHELLA