Whitlam's birth home to be demolished

Gough Whitlam's Melbourne birth home is up for demolition and a request to have it heritage listed was rejected.

The ALP legend, who died on Tuesday aged 98, was born in the Kew home owned by his parents. They sold it when he was aged one and the family moved to Sydney.

Boroondara City Council confirmed that a demolition order was lodged on the property in April.

Almost two weeks later it was told the same home was Mr Whitlam's birth home and had been nominated for Victorian Heritage Register.

The request was refused by the Minister for Planning Matthew Guy's office.

It says consent for demolition was granted by the council before the heritage protection request was made.

"Boroondara Council consented to demolition of this property in April 2014, before any request was made for heritage protection," the spokesperson said.

"This initial action by council has prevented further heritage protection via the planning scheme."