A HOMEOWNER is more than $30,000 out of pocket after illegally demolishing a heritage-listed property in Geelong West.

The City of Greater Geelong has been awarded costs and penalties of more than $33,000, after the facade of a Hope St home was destroyed in breach of a planning permit.

The conviction and penalty has sent a clear message about the consequences of not complying with permit conditions, council’s planning and development general manager Peter Bettess said.

“Recognition and protection of heritage places is a crucial component of planning within the City of Greater Geelong,” Mr Bettess said.

Mr Bettess said the property was covered by a heritage overlay, with the permit application proposing to retain the heritage fabric at the front of the site.

Plans showing the retention of the dwelling’s facade had been approved, but it was demolished prior to construction.