The Cliffe (Peppermint Grove) to have interim heritage listing

7/10/95

The State Government has responded to community calls for the protection of one of Peppermint Grove's most valued heritage properties.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said today that The Cliffe, in Bindaring Parade, would be placed on the State Register of Heritage Places on an interim basis.

Mr Lewis said The Cliffe was one of the first homes built in Peppermint Grove and was a rare example of a weatherboard 'gentleman's residence'.

He said the accompanying coachhouse, stables, summerhouse, servants cottages and part of the original gardens were still intact.

"The property has very strong historical associations and is highly valued by the Peppermint Grove community," Mr Lewis said.

"This is borne out by the fact that the local community put forward a petition earlier this year to save and protect The Cliffe.

"The State Government agrees that The Cliffe is a building which has outstanding heritage values and should be protected."

The Minister said The Cliffe was built in 1894 by Neil McNeil, an engineer and railway contractor who came to Perth in 1872 to build the Jarrahdale to Bunbury railway line.

McNeil then became prominent in the Western Australian timber industry.

"It was McNeil's passion for timber that led him to build The Cliffe predominantly out of jarrah, finished off with wrought iron railings," Mr Lewis said.

"Unfortunately his vision of majestic timber houses, rather than brick and stone, was not shared by the Peppermint Grove Road Board, which legislated against timber houses."

Mr Lewis said the McNeil's entertained frequently and their property boasted a billiard room, tennis court, croquet lawn, large gardens and a summer house. Horses were exercised in the grounds and boy scouts were allowed to camp on the property.

After McNeil's death in 1927 The Cliffe was bought by prominent industrialist Hugh Brisbane. His brother, David, also a well known businessman, occupied the house from 1933 to 1960.

The Minister said The Cliffe had outstanding heritage values.

"The Cliffe demonstrates the domestic life of a wealthy society family at the turn of the century," Mr Lewis said.

"The design, configuration and detailing of the property remain intact and the buildings have a high degree of authenticity."

Media contact : Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595