The Sydney suburb looked very different two decades ago
A family in Australia has received praise for refusing to sell their home to developers and aerial photos show just how much the home sticks out.
The photos show just how empty the land was at one point, mostly a rural area, but as time goes on it became more developed with scores of homes popping up.
Despite developers making frequent offers to the family, they refused to sell up.
Despite developers building continuously around the family, they refused to sell up. (7news)
The Zammit family live on a two-hectare block of land in The Ponds, a suburb of Sydney in Australia, and despite receiving offers of millions of dollars have made it clear they’re not going anywhere.
The family had reportedly been offered between AU $33 million (US $21m) and AU $40 million (US $25m).
Real estate agent Taylor Bredin said the land has the ability to accommodate up to 50 houses subdivided into 3,200-square-foot blocks, with each valued at around AU $1 million (US $650,000) each.
Despite their land being worth up to a whopping AU $50 million (US $32m), it’s clear the family are staying put.
I’d have my bags packed and be down the street before you could blink, but hey, that’s just me.
And their stance has earned them praise from others, who are impressed with their staying power.
Although it sticks out like a sore thumb, the family have been praised for their stance.
Bredin told 7News: “The fact that most people sold out years and years ago, these guys have held on. All credit to them.”
While, a neighbor, whose home directly faces the property, said they hoped the family remained in their home for good.
They revealed: “I will wave to them when I see them outside and they always wave back, but I don’t really speak to them.
The Zammit family live on a two-hectare block of land in The Ponds, a suburb of Sydney in Australia. (Twitter/@unusual_whales)
“I’m very happy they’ve refused to sell – it means we have a cul-de-sac which is much safer for our kids – and their big lawn next to us makes it feel like we’ve got so much space.”
They added: “Our neighbors don’t get that because the other houses are so close together. We’re very grateful! I hope they stay.”
But despite their determination, Diane Zammit, who has lived in the property with her family for almost two decades, said the area is vastly different from when they first moved in.
Speaking to the Daily Mail about the changes she’s seen in recent times, she said: “It used to be farmland dotted with little red brick homes and cottages.
“Every home was unique and there was so much space – but not anymore. It’s just not the same.”