1. What do you think are the three most important heritage places in Moreland? Why?
- The Hoffman Brickworks
- The Pentridge Prison
- The Chef Site (Hope Street) including the 1960‚s Chef Offices and the 1891 Brunswick Gas & Coke Company Retort House. The large building was central to the gas industry and is the last former retort house standing in Victoria. The building was used in the gas ˆ making process and the complex made and distributed gas to the then Brunswick
Council for street lights and private users.
I consider these 3 places to be amongst the most important heritage places in Moreland.
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 would like to see the structures of the historic core retained. The Hoffman Brickworks is an important Brunswick landmark that links the community with the Brunswick‚s industrial past.
I would like to see as much of the historic core as possible be maintain for appropriate low level community use. In determining how the historic core can be best put to community use and community benefit I believe we should widely consult with a variety of community
groups, residents of the precinct and the developers to determine how to best use the site, preserve and restore the historical value and add aesthetic value that will also greatly benefit the residential precinct.
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?
Moreland City Council has financially invested for the preservation of Kiln 2. It would be reasonable to expect the conservation of Kiln 2 in order to be enjoyed by future generations as a reminder of Brunswick‚s industrial history and the use of Kiln 2 to promote and highlight the industrial history of the site.
4. What is your opinion about the redevelopment of the brickworks site to date?
I have not had the opportunity to investigate the redevelopment of the site in detail. I look forward to the opportunity of speaking with residents of the site in the following weeks.
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 work hard as part of a team of councilors with the aim of getting the best outcome for the community and ensure the conservation management plan is put in place. It‚s important to preserve and promote the historical heritage of the site for future generations. I will consult and listen to all the residents, community groups and the developer taking advice and guidance from them on how to seek better outcomes for the community at the brickworks site.
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 will always be available to discuss issues that concern Moreland‚s residents and community groups and seek to express these views to the developer. In regards to the brickworks site and other sites of historical significance around the municipality I strongly believe that heritage integrity is of paramount importance to the Moreland Community. I also believe that working together we can find solutions with the developer that would preserve the historical core and enable the site to be better utilized for the benefit of the community.