LOCAL residents are fighting to prevent an \u201ciconic\u201d bluestone cottage from being torn down on Barwon Heads Road.<\/p>\n
The McAteer\u2019s Bluestone Cottage has been a prominent part of the Marshall community for over 150 years but now faces demolition to make way for a duplication of Barwon Heads Road.<\/p>\n
Major Road Projects have confirmed plans to improve the traffic flow to the area by duplicating four kilometres of the road, removing level crossing and improving the existing intersections.<\/p>\n
The project aims to reduce the congestion between Settlement and Reserve Road but comes at the price of the old bluestone cottage.<\/p>\n
On behalf of the action group against the demolishment, Geoff Winkler is calling for the building to be granted heritage listing.<\/p>\n
A 1998-2000 City funded study shows the building was recommended to be heritage listed but never received overlay.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there is other options, I don’t think it needs to demolished,\u201d Mr Winkler said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe fully agree that the Barwon Heads road needs to be improved but unfortunately, several alternatives for the intersection layout are not being entertained.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite never receiving heritage recognition the cottage was included under the heritage guidelines for the drafted 2019 Marshall Precinct Structure Plan.<\/p>\n
The document calls for the cottage \u201cto be preserved and included where possible in any future town development\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Winkler who had been conducting meetings with Major Road Projects Victoria, was informed last month that the plans were now finalised, and the cottage would be torn down.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a hit to the guts,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought we were still negotiating.\u201d<\/p>\n
City of Greater Geelong Director of Planning, Design and Development, Gareth Smith said the decision was necessary to support the population growth in Armstrong Creek and the Bellarine.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe heritage significance of the bluestone cottage is one of many factors considered in planning for this project, which was ultimately determined based on the community benefit,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Smith said the cottage was included in a \u2018Public Acquisition Overlay in 1996\u2019 making the compulsory removal of the building lawful.<\/p>\n
Undeterred by the confirmation of the major project, Mr Winkler is continuing to fight for the bluestone cottage to be relocated.<\/p>\n
\u201cHistorically there have been a large number of cases throughout the state, where heritage buildings have successfully been relocated,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is one of the only pieces of history left in Marshall everything else has already been taken.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LOCAL residents are fighting to prevent an \u201ciconic\u201d bluestone cottage from being torn down on Barwon Heads Road. The McAteer\u2019s Bluestone Cottage has been a prominent part of the Marshall community for over 150 years but now faces demolition to make way for a duplication of Barwon Heads Road. Major Road Projects have confirmed plans […]<\/p>\n