Diplomatic residences to be sold

London: The British consulate in Australia is to sell off several of its properties, worth millions of pounds, as part of cost-cutting measures that have resulted in 19 ambassadorial residences across the world being sold in the past year.

The plush residences of the consul general in Sydney and Melbourne and the residence of the deputy consul general in Melbourne will be put on the market next year.

The diplomats will be expected to live in more modest city apartments, according to a spokesman for the Foreign Office. The Sydney consul general's residence is located in Vaucluse, one of the city's most expensive harbourside suburbs where the average house price is 3.5 million Australian dollars (Dh12.3 million).

As well as housing Richard Morris, the consul general, and his family, the property is regularly used for official functions. With a swimming pool, two-car garage and views of Sydney Harbour, it is expected to fetch several million dollars.

Expensive properties

The grand, sandstone building has been owned by the Foreign Office for more than 30 years. Craig Pontey, the managing director of Ray White Prestige estate agents, said that the residence was in Sydney's "dress circle" or wealthy neighbourhoods and that nearby homes had recently sold for about A$7 million.

Prices of up to A$30 million for outstanding properties in the area have been recorded. Likewise, the sprawling consul general residence in Melbourne is situated in the eastern suburb of Toorak, where the average house costs A$2.2million.

Britain's four consulates in France are staying put for now even if they are "a bit over scale," according to Sir Peter Westmacott, the British ambassador to France.

However, since last autumn, the consulates have stopped serving champagne at most events and opted instead sparkling white wine.