Call to activate Pall Mall buildings

HOW can the City of Greater Bendigo, businesses and people activate the heritage buildings of Pall Mall?

That’s the question members of the Bendigo branch of the National Trust are trying to answer, with president Peter Cox warning it won’t take much for the road’s buildings to fall into disrepair.

“The branch is helping people understand what’s going to happen to these historic buildings going forward,” he said.

“We know they need money spent on them. It’s not just a matter of repurposing the buildings, that’s a big task.

“It takes people to activate buildings. If they’re shut up and rising damp, they deteriorate quickly. That’s why we need to get people back into all these buildings we’re talking about.”

The buildings in question include the Bendigo Law Courts, which will be replaced next year, and part of the former post office building.

The former school of mines octagonal library and MacGillivray Hall, which are owned by Bendigo TAFE, are also of interest and according to Mr Cox a community precinct is planned for the buildings.

The push from members of the National Trust has been ongoing but picked up after it was reported the Bendigo Art Gallery would need to close for two years for the planned $28 million upgrade.

“We know what a success View Street has been, it’s taken 30 years,” he said.

“Wouldn’t it be lovely if those crowds of people and thriving cafes moved along Pall Mall as well as View Street.”

Mr Cox said Allan’s Walk, which is currently for sale, would be the perfect spot for an exhibition.

“There are lots of ideas in the melting pot… it’s a big project and those buildings do need money spent on them,” he said.

“It’s not small amounts of money so it’s very challenging for all three levels of government, but it’s got to be dealt with.”