i. Christ Church – Glenlyon Road: An excellent example of great architecture of its time. Both internal and external works are very pleasing to the eye and this building should be preserved for future generations.
ii. Hoffman Brickworks – Dawson Street: Brunswick has been the quarry for metropolitan Melbourne since white settlement. This Site represents the basic industry of this area – Hoffman Brickworks would have represented the cutting edge of brick making when it was set up. It is only proper that the core historical area be preserved forever.
iii. Old Brunswick Market – Sparta Place: This Building is one of the very few buildings left in Melbourne of an original covered ‘Market Place’. It’s very pleasing that the present private owners are restoring it for public use – primarily organizing performing arts.
2. The Hoffman Brickworks in Dawson Street Brunswick are classified by the National Trust as of national heritage significance, and are also recognised on the Victorian Government’s Heritage Register and the Commonwealth Government’s National Estate Register. The historic core of the site – the kilns, brick pressing shed and gatehouse – is the last area of the brickworks to be redeveloped.
What would you like to see happen to the historic core?
I can’t wait for the ‘historic core’ to be fully restored and accessible for all people. I strongly believe that there should be lots of activities in and around this area to make it people friendly. In order to attract people in this area there should be galleries, offices and eateries and open market days developed in a way that adds to and attracts people to the Site. The continual survival of this precious Site will rest on the ability to attract people to the area on a daily basis year in year out. The fact that the Site is in private hands somewhat limits institutions such as Council on what outcomes are achieved in the long term.
3. In 1997, Moreland City Council committed $400,000 to assist the developer conserve Kiln 2.
What do you think would be a reasonable return to the community for this investment?
I believe that the fact that this money was instrumental in saving and conserving the Kiln is in itself a great return to our community. I expect the developer to restore the Kiln to its ‘former glory’ and ensure that there is a proper historical interpretation of the Site. To the extend that this is done well, I would think that the $400K was money well spent.
Having said the above I still feel that Council can use its ‘good office’ to ensure that the activities that take place on the Hoffman Brickworks will compliment and add value to the historical interpretation of the Site.
4. What is your opinion about the redevelopment of the brickworks site to date?
I think with hindsight it would have been far better to have had ‘better’ quality units and homes on the Site. I think that the lanes are far to narrow given the lack of off-street parking.
5. If elected to Moreland City Council, how will you work to get the best outcomes for the community on the brickworks site?
I would definitely advocate for better quality works in the entire remaining project. I would also like to see that the completing stages are complementary to the rest of the project.
6. The community, through Save the Brickworks, the National Trust and Brunswick Community History Group continue to have strong concerns about the developer’s proposals for the historic core, especially in terms of heritage integrity, community use and access.
If elected to Moreland City Council, would you be willing to seek to renegotiate agreements on the historic core with the developers to address these community concerns?
If re-elected to the Moreland Council I would encourage greater involvement of the people that are now the residents at the Hoffman Brickworks. I hope that they become real protagonists and take a leading role as major stakeholders in ensuring that this Site is preserved and maintained for our community for years to come. With the involvement of more local people it will mean more direct pressure on the developers to deliver on time and doing justice to the historical interpretation of the Site.
I can’t wait for the time when the works are completed so that the whole community may enjoy this great Site. This Site once the restoration is completed will be a great addition to Brunswick’s cultural wealth. The very nature of the high chimneys makes this Site so visual from far away places.
Your Name: Joe Caputo