The National Trust has voiced its support behind saving the historic Gold Creek Homestead from development, as the government called tenders for a new owner for the site.
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In a recent letter addressed to the Suburban Land Agency, the National Trust argued the homestead - which dates back to the 19th century - should be retained for future use.
"The National Trust believes the homestead has local significance for Gungahlin and strongly supports its retention and adaptive reuse," the letter said.
"The National Trust urges the Suburban Land Agency to include this adaptive and retention and adaptive use of the homestead as one of the criterion in the assessment of any proposal as it will have a positive outcome for the area."
The letter comes after a decision from the ACT Heritage Council not to list the site for territory significance.
"The National Trust does not agree with this interpretation and application and there are other examples of local significance already listed on the ACT Heritage Register," the letter said.
It's expected the land will be used for aged care, including accommodation with at least 160 beds and 30 supportive dwellings.
The tender process closes on June 7 and a decision will be made in July.
National Trust heritage spokesman Eric Martin said while aged care was slated for the site, the homestead could be preserved as part of its use.
"We believe the homestead can be adapted for the development and it is desirable to keep the setting of it," he said.
"The aged-care facility could be put around the homestead."
Mr Martin said the Gold Creek Homestead represented a significant part of Canberra's history.
"It can be a reminder of past history but it can also play a future role," he said.
"The retention of the site should be a significant factor in the final assessment of the bid. Hopefully it would be a deciding issue."
Gungahlin Community Council president Peter Elford welcomed the support of the National Trust and said many community members were getting behind the push to preserve the homestead.
"The National Trust statement is very much in line with what we're hearing from the community," he said.
"The community sees a lot of value in the site as history and it connects us with the past."
The National Trust said it was yet to hear a response from the Suburban Land Agency following the letter, although a spokesman for the agency said contact with the trust had been attempted.
"The Suburban Land Agency welcomes the comments of Mr Carter and the National Trust," the spokesman said.
"We share their sentiments that preservation of important heritage value in Canberra is an important element of sustainable development. We are keen to work with the National Trust to understand in greater detail their concerns before officially responding to their request."
The agency said it was open to further talks with the community council as well as the National Trust and the ACT Heritage Council.
"The successful tenderer will be required to obtain development approval for any proposal," the spokesman said.
"This will require community engagement and careful consideration of community input by the planning and land authority."