1. What do you think are the three most important heritage places in Moreland? Why?
i. Sarah Sands Hotel
ii. Hoffmans Brickworks
iii. Upfield railway line
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?
A vibrant public space that used the buildings and spaces in a way that help to tell the story of the brickworks
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?
Retention of one kiln and its equipment unmodified, as a minimum, to allow proper interpretation and appreciation; minimal modification of all other buildings; retention of community access to the whole area;
4. What is your opinion about the redevelopment of the brickworks site to date?
It is over developed, carparking provision is inadequate, and the historic core has been overshadowed by the scale and intensity of the surrounding housing – it could have been so much better.
5. If elected to Moreland City Council, how will you work to get the best outcomes for the community on the brickworks site?
I will talk to all the other Councillors to ensure they fully appreciate both what has happened on the site to date, and what the community would like to see happen – particularly with the historic core – in the future. I will seek to re-establish the council/community/developer meetings on a regular basis. I will try to renegotiate the current Council’s agreement on the return to the community which provides very little back to the community for its $400k investment
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?
I would be very willing to try and renegotiate agreements with the developer. The more likely opportunity to do that will be when the future of the gatehouse comes up for consideration.
Other comments:
Your Name: Jo Connellan