Council & Politics
1 October, 2025
Council to take ownership of Daly’s Cottage
A building of historic significance near Avoca is set to be taken over by Pyrenees Shire Council.
Council has advised it will purchase Daly’s Cottage at Percydale in a bid to ensure it is preserved for future generations.
While council uses the term “purchase”, the cottage is effectively being gifted to council by its current owner, meaning very few ratepayers dollars will change hands.
It a statement, council CEO Jim Nolan said council recognises the importance of the cottage.
“Pyrenees Shire Council has agreed to purchase Daly’s Cottage, Percydale from the current owner to ensure its historical value is preserved.”
According to Heritage Council Victoria, Daly's Cottage was built in 1865 by James Daly from Kilfinane, Ireland.
Daly's Cottage comprises a combined cottage and stable building and a separate dwelling, constructed of vertical timber slabs in the mid-1860s on land selected by James Daly.
Both structures have later corrugated iron roofing, which replaced original shingles, and retain remnants of early wallpapering.
The garden retains early fruit and flower plantings and there is a large hawthorn bush behind the buildings.
The Heritage Council says Daly's Cottage is of “historical significance as an example of a residence and stable constructed as part of the selection era, when much of Victoria was opened up for purchase by small landholders and farmers, in order to promote settlement following the gold rush.”
“Daly's Cottage is of architectural significance as a rare example of a relatively intact selector's cottage and stable, constructed using vernacular techniques of the period.”
Daly’s Cottage is one of several sites that contribute to World Heritage nomination as part of the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage bid being undertaken by 15 municipalities, including Pyrenees Shire.
Council said the purchase of Daly’s Cottage is currently in progress, with council yet to determine its plans for the site.
The Avoca and District Historical Society has managed the site in recent years, however committee member Marg Pilgrim told the Advocate the organisation was no longer in a position to manage the site due to dwindling numbers and an aging membership.
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