The federation bungalow at 36 Foster Street was listed for special planning protection because of its link with early 20th century residential expansion eastward by residents with greater income than those in smaller working-class houses.

However, it has been substantially altered over a period of time, a point which councillors emphasised last night.

The house sits on 1.3 hectares and the total property is listed for sale at $2m after being passed in at auction at $1.42m in December.

City council planners recommended to councillors last night that they follow advice from a qualified heritage architect and decide to apply a protection overlay to the entire property or amend it to just the house portion.

Councillors were also advised to seek an independent panel to consider the issue.

After a lengthy debate it was only the mayor Jacinta Ermacora who voted for the planners’ recommendations.

She said she wanted to support the heritage assessment process used by council and indicated the views of other councillors should not be seen as no-confidence vote in the planning department. Cr John Harris said after two site inspections he could not see heritage value.

“The house has been a mix and match for quite a while,” he said.

“We’ll be wasting money and time in going to a panel.”

Cr Peter Hulin said he too was at a loss to see any heritage value in it.

“The only thing left of any significance is the cedar tree,” he said.

Cr Michael Neoh said the house was a mix of cement sheet and ’70s brick and could barely be seen from Foster Street.

Cr Rob Askew said he didn’t support retention of the house when a demolition application came last year and still held that opinion.

“We’ll end up with a good subdivision without the impost of a heritage overlay,” he said.

Cr Jennifer Lowe said heritage advisers should have accompanied councillors on the site inspection to explain their position.