City decides on cottage rebuild plan

McATEER’S Bluestone Cottage would be rebuilt across the road from its original Marshall location and become a multi-use heritage and community space under a plan endorsed by Geelong council this week.

The City of Greater Geelong voted to progress a proposal to rebuild the cottage at Marshall Reserve, near the site’s tennis courts, maintaining the building’s façade but removing internal walls to create more space inside.

A majority of councillors said the city’s preferred option would provide greater flexibility for future community use by resdesigning the building’s interior, while its set back position would reduce safety risks for drivers on Barwon Heads Road.

An officer report indicated the rebuild was at least two years away, with a business case to be prepared ahead of COGG’s 2024-25 budget, while the city would ask for up to $1 million of state government cash to complete the rebuild.

Cr Ron Nelson was the lone objector to the idea and indicated his preference for a design from the Marshall Bluestone Cottage Community Group (MBCCG).

MBCCG had developed its own idea for the building’s future, which would have rebuilt the cottage in its previous form and closer to the intersection of Marshalltown Road.

“I’m disappointed that option one isn’t going through, but happy that the cottage is being retained,” Cr Nelson said.

 

The decision drew a mixed reaction from MBCCG, who welcomed progress to restore the building but preferred the site to remain in its original location and form.

“The Marshall bluestone cottage advocacy group proposed relocating, rebuilding and repurposing the building in the most authentic way possible, to retain its genuine original heritage value,” president Virgina Johnson said.

“This was an opportunity to recognise Marshall’s exceptional industrial history through interpretation of this 170 year old home.

“Council unfortunately opted to settle on a tentative second-best option. The cottage will be relocated but not to the better site. It will be rebuilt but not authentically. The changed interior rebuild will compromise future uses and lose the connection with history.

“On the positive side, at least the building has been saved, and during the next stage of this process the group will continue to campaign for preferable outcomes.”

Officers had previously recommended the now-approved option at August’s meeting, but councillors voted to defer the decision to give greater consideration of alternatives.

The cottage had been slated for demolition by state government road authorities to make way for the Barwon Heads Road duplication, before lobbying led by MBCCG spurred COGG to intervene last year.

The cottage has been dismantled and is currently in storage while COGG continues planning for its eventual rebuild.