Heritage Ruins To Remain

More than 10 European heritage structures located in growth areas of Wyndham City have been identified for preservation in heritage open spaces for the community.

A review conducted by Wyndham City has identified several historic bluestone farmhouse ruins, including Doherty’s House and Missen House on Doherty’s Road, Wattle Park Farm off Sewells Road and Robertson’s Farm off Derrimut Road.

Though currently situated on private land, Council has been identified as the eventual landowner of many of these spaces. For others, Council will seek to work in collaboration with owners to preserve and reactivate heritage ruins.

The list of sites is being refined, and in early 2022 Council will engage heritage architects who will provide expert advice on how the sites should be preserved.

This advice will include a strategic review of which features will be retained, the extent of restoration and adaptation for community or commercial use.

City Design portfolio holder Councillor Josh Gilligan said: “I am pleased Council is taking a pro-active approach to recover and rediscover the value of heritage sites throughout Wyndham City.”

“Heritage and Tarneit are not two words we often hear in a sentence. We’re changing that. Transforming Doherty’s House from a bluestone ruin into a fit for purpose community space will create a defining place for Tarneit residents to enjoy now & into the future”.

 “There are also wonderful possibilities to attract new visitors to our City and for commercial partners to come on board and help us reactivate these places.”

The advice from architects will contribute to the development of a Specialist Heritage Report, which will outline approaches available to Council. 

This report will contribute to developing a new Heritage Ruins in Open Spaces Policy at Wyndham City to inform a consistent approach to planning, advocacy and investment in heritage ruins.

This new policy will also outline a strategy for prioritising sites for investment in restoration and recovery.

The ‘adaptive reuse’, or recovery and conversion, of these sites will be informed by a desire to honour historical significance while also providing new open spaces in Wyndham City that are accessible and exciting for the community.

The Specialist Heritage Report will be delivered to Council in 2022 and will trigger forthcoming planning work for heritage ruins sites in Wyndham City.