Save the Brickworks Inc.
Survey of South Ward candidates
Moreland City Council election, November 2004
Click here to see a Media Release, issued 9th November 2004 about the candidates' responses, and how we rate them
1. What do you think are the three most important heritage places in Moreland? Why?
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.
Other comments:
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
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
1. What do you think are the three most important heritage places in Moreland? Why?
Merri Creek, Dawson St Brickworks, Albion St ( the part built by "sussos" in the 1930s)
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 it preserved in such a way as to also provide an educational experience for those interested people. It should be combined with a museum about working practices and local art history. It could be converted into the equivalent of the Western Suburbs Living Museum of the West.
It should also be possible to open the site for community activities so that the brickworks becomes vibrant and functional activity centre.
I would agree with the save the Brickworks on the proposal that no demolition should take place of the traditional buildings and that open space should not be developed as a carpark - it should be a space for activities such as markets and performance.
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?
A community resource open free to the public as a display of the history of the area, the brick workshop, local work experience - including production techniques and industrial struggle - and practice, art history. There should be no more housing developed on the site - any open space should be used as public open space to preserve the enormous resource of working class and community history.
Our generation has an historic opportunity to invest in quality community education.
4. What is your opinion about the redevelopment of the brickworks site to date?
Housing is encroaching on the area. This should be limited in some official way. Otherwise there are some really positive things happening.
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 to obtain the best possible outcomes for my constituaents which would be based on solid research and information from the local experts - Save the Brickworks + Brunswick Community History Group, as well as the local community.
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?
Yes.
Other comments: I would also encourage the council to run an education program for all local residents about the project. Residents need to know and understand this heritage site so they can make more informed suggestions.
1. What do you think are the three most important heritage places in Moreland? Why?
I find it difficult to offer you only three places of broad cultural appeal. All I can tell you is that MY heritage means that Brunswick South Primary School is a site of extraordinary meaning; that Hoffmans has always loomed large as a place of almost spiritual meaning. We have bricks in our paving here at home with the Hoffmans stamp on them, small tokens of Brunswick’s heritage. And I love those almost strange houses from the fifties and sixties that dot parts of Moreland Road and also tell an amazing story that we must make sure gets remembered.
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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?
This is quite a simple matter. This centre must be preserved, restored and, most importantly, become part of a story that is very consciously and actively told. I have to say that the Save the Brickworks people have for a long time maintained a compelling campaign for this and that I and the rest of my family have always supported this.
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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?
This commitment of Council has always seemed to me to be somewhat half-hearted. There has been an unwillingness by Council officers to support the risk implied in getting full value from this intended investment and a failure by many Councillors after the days of Andy Ingham to confront those officers and offer proper direction. In simple terms, Council has a responsibility to ensure that as much of the historic Hoffmans site as possible is preserved, interpreted and presented to the community as possible. Personally – and I know that it will be a big ask to get other Councillors to support this – I would favour an active investment of Council funds where equity and ownership was sought. That way, the future development of at least some of this site falls into public hands.
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4. What is your opinion about the redevelopment of the brickworks site to date?
I can claim no more than a cursory overview. I have to say, though, that the overall quality of the development appears to me to be quite disappointing, given the significance of the site. I am concerned that such thin-walled tilt-concrete developments may well be just potential slums in the making.
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5. If elected to Moreland City Council, how will you work to get the best outcomes for the community on the brickworks site?
My commitments will be threefold:
1. To commit to a rigorous and active process of community consultation.
2. To acknowledge the pre-eminent contribution of the Save the Brickworks movement and establish practical, long term relationships with the group.
3. To work to convince all Councillors to re-assert Council’s interest in the site and to seek an active involvement in development AND preservation through investment and ownership.
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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?
Yes.
I need to know more about Hoffmans and the recent stance taken by both the developer and Council. But I can tell you this; Andy Ingham ensured that I understood the full value of this site and taught me the merit of fighting to preserve our heritage.
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Other comments:
I remember, when a Brunswick Secondary College student, walking past that amazing brick wall/fence with all those different bricks to the bus stop, and the discussions it provoked about our heritage. It is a sad day when a piece of our history is forever lost.
Jo Connellan will, I know, also fight for Hoffmans. I know we hold similar views. I am a Labor candidate and will work for the best possible outcome for the Moreland council. Which means working productively with whomever is elected, and insuring that sites like the Hoffmans Brickworks receive the attention that they deserve from the Moreland City Council.
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.
1. What do you think are the three most important heritage places in Moreland? Why?
Sydney Rd. shopping strip because it is so evocative of the history of this diverse community surrounding it.
Hoffman Brickworks because it is an extraordinary set of buildings central to the working class origins of Brunswick.
Every residential address because each part of this community can be destroyed in one day and replaced badly.
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?
It would make an excellent centre for the local artist/artisan industry. A view I first put some 6 years ago when I joined the STB.
The Gatehouse must be preserved in its present form because it is central to the last surviving aspect of the Hoffy's site.
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?
Ongoing public control of the historic core.
4. What is your opinion about the redevelopment of the brickworks site to date?
It is a profit motivated disaster assisted by the Moreland Council and many of its Councillors, in spite of the efforts of many members of the STB group.
5. If elected to Moreland City Council, how will you work to get the best outcomes for the community on the brickworks site?
Urge beareaucrats and councillors to offer to look after the historic core, on behalf of the owner.
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?
Yes, starting with calling the developer's bluff/threat regarding redevelopment of the Kilns as office space (its not economically viable as well as being tacky & tasteless)
Other comments:
I am completely in disagreement with those members of STB who have agreed to the excessive extra developments of the site and are willing to see the last Hoffman lanscape "modernized"
The issues are more important than any personal preferences.
Made in Brunswick - Ken Taylor
Community Independent for South Ward
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