A man is fighting to save the house he spent decades building by hand as a council plans to widen roads near the newly developed Western Sydney Airport.
Galliano Callegari, 80, has spent his entire life building a medieval-style house on land he bought in Kemps Creek, in Sydney’s west, after emigrating from Italy in 1975 with just two dollars to his name.
Callegari worked 20 hours a day to support his family and built every detail of the house, including the bridge, windmill and 300-meter stone fence.
Galliano Callegari, 80, has spent his entire life building a medieval-style castle on land he bought in Kemps Creek in 1975.
Callegari is fighting to save the Venetian castle he spent decades building by hand as Penrith City Council plans to widen the road near Badgerys Creek Airport.
‘The main house, all the stone came from the Richmond quarry. I ordered 200 tons,” he said. A current issue on Monday.
‘I have never seen anyone build what I have built with my hands. I made it all up.’
But now the development of the new airport threatens to take away a portion of his home.
Penrith Council plans to widen rural roads surrounding the airport to four lanes.
To do this, they will have to acquire the land where Mr. Callegari’s fence and bridge are located, and both will need to be demolished.
“Existing rural roads will be widened to facilitate the development of the district, which will involve the acquisition of land along the current road corridor and road widening works,” a council spokesperson said in a statement.
To expand the road, the city council will have to acquire the land where Mr. Callegari’s fence and bridge are located
“The existing fence is located at the property boundary, where the road is proposed to be widened, and will be affected by future road works.”
Callegari is fighting to save his beloved bridge and fence.
“Of course, if you build with your own hands and think with your own mind, it’s very important to me,” he said.
“I want you to understand that this is the sacrifice of my life, my dream, my everything.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Penrith City Council for further comment.