Hume council has welcomed changes to the state government’s Planning and Environment Bill, which aims to afford greater protection to Victoria’s heritage buildings.
At a meeting on Monday, February 14, councillors voted in favour of investigating how the bill’s changes could be introduced into the Hume Planning Scheme.
Among the reforms stated in the document, is the intention to deter persons from “unlawfully demolishing heritage buildings” as well preventing persons from “allowing heritage buildings to fall into disrepair”.
Hume councillor Karen Sherry said she hoped that any changes made within the municipality’s scheme would ensure the “conservation and protection” of heritage buildings.
“In my experience, a lot of residents think that heritage means keeping things the same, it doesn’t,” Cr Sherry said.
“[That] often leads to more abandoned, derelict buildings. However, the best form of preservation is the adaptive reuse, even if it was a previously prohibited use.”
Ms Sherry used the example of the Pentridge Prison in Coburg, which has been designed to retain its original bluestone exterior while also being refitted for modern purposes, such as a cinema and restaurants.
Councillor Joseph Haweil said he was “fully in favour” of heritage protection, but didn’t want to see legislation get in the way of ideas that may give new life to historic structures.
Oliver Lees
