Cottage deconstruction to start

THIS month’s deconstruction of the bluestone McAteer Cottage will enable it to be rebuilt elsewhere in the future and allow the Barwon Heads upgrade to proceed, on schedule.

Major Roads Projects Victoria has agreed to dismantle the circa 1860s cottage, which is in the way of the planned roadworks, so it can be stored until the City of Greater Geelong confirms a new appropriate location and funding for the reconstruction.

City councillors will receive a report to consider later this year regarding future opportunities for McAteer Cottage, which had not been heritage listed and was earmarked for demolition.

The Save Marshall Bluestone Cottage campaigners, who attracted more than 1000 signatures on a petition and gained the support of the City of Greater Geelong, say their focus will be “to work with council to have it re-erected for future generations to see”.

The community group has also said its preference is for the cottage to be reconstructed at the nearby JF Field Reserve, which members believe would “result in negligible loss of open space”.

City heritage portfolio chair Cr Peter Murrihy said Greater Geelong CEO Martin Cutter had written to Major Roads Projects Victoria seeking an agreement to appropriately dismantle and store the cottage, and to consider options that pave the way for it to be restored for use in the close vicinity.

“There have been regular meetings with Major Roads Projects Victoria and the city team will continue working with representatives to investigate sustainable options for the relocated structure and prepare a report for council later this year,” Cr Murrihy said.

“The cottage is an early example of a worker’s dwelling in Marshalltown and the use of bluestone on such a modest dwelling is of historical interest.”

Major Road Projects Victoria program director Tim Price said the deconstruction and removal of the cottage near the Marshalltown Road intersection was necessary for the Barwon Heads Road to be widened and new lanes constructed.

“To allow the road to be widened and new lanes built, we will need to deconstruct and remove the bluestone cottage near the Marshalltown Road intersection,” Mr Price said.

Meanwhile, work is progressing on the Barwon Heads Road Upgrade which will duplicate four kilometres of Barwon Heads Road between Settlement Road and Reserve Road, remove a level crossing at Marshall, upgrade intersections at Settlement Road and Breakwater Road and install new traffic lights at Crows Road, Barwarre Road, Marshalltown Road and Reserve Road.

Four kilometres of new shared walking and cycling paths, as well as dedicated on road cycling lanes will also be built.

The road project is expected to be completed in late 2023.