By Oliver Lees
Kyneton’s century old town hall is set to be restored.
Restoration works on the facade of Kyneton Town Hall will begin this month following the allocation of funding from the federal government and Macedon Ranges council.
Macedon Ranges council assets and operations director Shane Walden said that the focus of the job will be to ensure the facade remains true to the building’s character.
“This is an important project to preserve the Kyneton Town Hall. The work includes repairs to various architectural elements and to restore heritage value,” Mr Walden said.
“Council’s heritage advisor has approved aesthetic considerations, including paint colours, to ensure the history of this building is respected and enhanced.”
According to a 1990 conservation study conducted by the former Shire of Kyneton, the first portion of Kyneton Town Hall was constructed in 1877.
But the site did not come to serve its original purpose as a space for shire offices until June 1929, following lengthy disputes about funding and design.
The study describes the design as “successfully unified” despite the decades between design periods, stating: “The building itself is of architectural and social significance for the rare, if not unique combination of 1877-1878 offices and 1929 hall/picture theatre main body, resulting in a street facade which dates from both eras and yet appears to have been built as one“.
Kyneton Historical Society researcher Larina Strauch shared an excerpt of a speech made at the hall’s opening on June 12, 1929, which stated: “The beauty of the hall cannot be challenged, it produces a bright and warm atmosphere with a sense of restfulness that is eminently grateful“.
The allocation of more than $1.4million from the federal government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program will include restoration of the building’s chimneys, window eaves, gutters and stormwater.
Lighting will also be affixed to highlight the town hall in the evening.
Works may disrupt pedestrian movement in front of the building.
