A contract has finally been awarded for the restoration of four P1 huts on the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse Reserve, with Q Constructions expected to complete the upgrade by December.
Funded with the remainder of a State Government $500,000 grant allocated in 2019, the project involves removal of asbestos from the buildings, re-cladding and re-roofing. The works are only external and the huts will not be usable on completion.
Meanwhile, Queenscliffe Council is weighing up whether or not to hand the site back to the Victorian Government amid concerns it does not have the financial resources to maintain it into the future.
Borough of Queenscliff (BoQ) CEO Martin Gill confirmed recent discussions had been held regarding ongoing funding and long-term management.
“One of the options that has been discussed is State Government management. This is an option some of our community members have proposed, and I understand, have spoken to the State Government about,” Mr Gill said. “It was one of a number of matters Council were discussing about the Lighthouse Reserve.
“At the moment Council has no plans to formally consider this initiative.”
Such a move would represent a major backflip. The Borough lobbied for and was handed management of the reserve in 2012, with plans to create a tourism and accommodation precinct. The community, however, rejected development of the site and Heritage Victoria subsequently listed the entire headland in 2019, providing additional protection over maritime, Defence and cultural assets.
During the impasse, the huts have fallen into further disrepair and have been regularly targeted by vandals, necessitating the erection of unsightly temporary fencing. One hut was completely destroyed in a 2017 arson attack.
Figures compiled by the Point Lonsdale Civic Association (PLCA) highlighted the cost of the reserve to BoQ to date.
Annual budgets had allocated amounts of up to $1 million every year to the reserve since 2016 - more than $3.7 million in total - with little progress, it said. “Since the Council took over management of the Reserve in 2012, some works have taken place including the refurbishment of a searchlight emplacement and the engine shed, securing and painting the P1 huts, a new roundabout at the entrance and some revegetation works.
“However, the access tracks are in poor condition, there is extensive weed infestation, cars and pedestrians dangerously conflict, and the military and maritime heritage infrastructure is badly dilapidated,” the organisation said.
“Those with long memories will recall the community’s bitter fight to stop the Council’s proposed commercial development of the Lighthouse precinct. A petition of around 1,200 signatures was made to the Victorian Parliament to stop Council’s plans, leading to the Commonwealth and State Governments stepping in to protect the environmental and historic values of this special area.”
The latest works follow extensive consultation with Heritage Victoria, government and Wadawurrung traditional elders.
Funded with the remainder of a State Government $500,000 grant allocated in 2019, the project involves removal of asbestos from the buildings, re-cladding and re-roofing. The works are only external and the huts will not be usable on completion.
Meanwhile, Queenscliffe Council is weighing up whether or not to hand the site back to the Victorian Government amid concerns it does not have the financial resources to maintain it into the future.
Borough of Queenscliff (BoQ) CEO Martin Gill confirmed recent discussions had been held regarding ongoing funding and long-term management.
“One of the options that has been discussed is State Government management. This is an option some of our community members have proposed, and I understand, have spoken to the State Government about,” Mr Gill said. “It was one of a number of matters Council were discussing about the Lighthouse Reserve.
“At the moment Council has no plans to formally consider this initiative.”
Such a move would represent a major backflip. The Borough lobbied for and was handed management of the reserve in 2012, with plans to create a tourism and accommodation precinct. The community, however, rejected development of the site and Heritage Victoria subsequently listed the entire headland in 2019, providing additional protection over maritime, Defence and cultural assets.
During the impasse, the huts have fallen into further disrepair and have been regularly targeted by vandals, necessitating the erection of unsightly temporary fencing. One hut was completely destroyed in a 2017 arson attack.
Figures compiled by the Point Lonsdale Civic Association (PLCA) highlighted the cost of the reserve to BoQ to date.
Annual budgets had allocated amounts of up to $1 million every year to the reserve since 2016 - more than $3.7 million in total - with little progress, it said. “Since the Council took over management of the Reserve in 2012, some works have taken place including the refurbishment of a searchlight emplacement and the engine shed, securing and painting the P1 huts, a new roundabout at the entrance and some revegetation works.
“However, the access tracks are in poor condition, there is extensive weed infestation, cars and pedestrians dangerously conflict, and the military and maritime heritage infrastructure is badly dilapidated,” the organisation said.
“Those with long memories will recall the community’s bitter fight to stop the Council’s proposed commercial development of the Lighthouse precinct. A petition of around 1,200 signatures was made to the Victorian Parliament to stop Council’s plans, leading to the Commonwealth and State Governments stepping in to protect the environmental and historic values of this special area.”
The latest works follow extensive consultation with Heritage Victoria, government and Wadawurrung traditional elders.
