But Mr Duncan said the dilapidated shack was little more than a health hazard.

“If you walk inside, the ceilings are falling in, there’s water penetration everywhere. It’s a disaster,” he said.

“It’s got an asbestos roof which leaches into the stormwater out the back of the property.”

The council approved the demolition in November.

George Dragovic hastened plans to demolish his investment property in Wentworth St, Oak Flats, after he found out about the proposed heritage label.

The heritage inventory says the home is an “excellent example of the once ubiquitous waterfront beach cottage”.

Mr Dragovic said he was surprised it had not been torn down already.

“Never at any point did I look at that property as a heritage property,” he said.

“If the council are serious about it, perhaps they can purchase the properties and remove the burden from the people, because if a person purchases a property for an investment and then a couple of years down the track it’s listed, that’s very hard to deal with.”