First stage of Osborne House restoration completed

WORKS to enable the next chapter in the renewal of North Geelong’s Osborne House have been completed.

The City of Greater Geelong has carried out more than $500,000 in restoration works at the historic house and stables, including underpinning and stabilisation of the stable walls, facade repairs and painting.

The works also included repair or replacement of 40 windows and more than 40 French doors throughout the main bluestone building.

A new fire detection system featuring 23 detectors is now monitored off-site and linked with a security system, while drainage has been installed in the car park.

Cr Eddy Kontelj, chair of the council’s Osborne House portfolio, said the work had improved safety and restored the beauty in some areas of the 1858 buildings.

“Osborne House and the stables have significant heritage value and sit in an important location on the North Geelong waterfront.

“The works have made an improvement to the way the buildings look, and also ensured they can be safely accessed and enjoyed by the community once the future use of the site is decided. “While these initial works are encouraging and were necessary, there is still much work to do.”

In May this year, the council launched an expressions of interest process seeking partners to help redevelop the precinct.

Discussions are now continuing with potential investors on their visions for the site, including how community use can be maximised.

Retention of the buildings’ heritage values is also a priority.

The council has committed to keeping Osborne House in public hands, meaning any partnership will not involve the sale of the land or buildings.

Cr Anthony Aitken, chair of the finance portfolio, said the council had allocated a further $8 million for restoration of the precinct over the next four years.

“The works completed so far are the first step in what we hope will be an exciting journey towards opening this important site back up for the community and celebrating its heritage value.

“The expressions of interest process has unearthed some promising ideas, which we are working through with the potential partners.”

The redevelopment has been estimated to cost at least $21 million depending on the final plans, which could include a mix of community, public and/or commercial uses.