Feature Image: National Trust stall at the 2024 Off-grid Living Festival in Chiltern. This year the National Trust was an exhibitor at the Off-grid Living Festival, a fantastic annual event for people interested in green energy, sustainable and self-sufficient living, knowledge sharing and crafts. We showcased an impressive hand tools collection and provided information on our various sustainably aligned campaigns, such as the Como Approach, traditional trades workshops and the Victorian Heritage Services Directory. Visitors to our stall could also learn about our work in environmental heritag ..read more

Feature Image: Phil Vabre (GFDL or GFDL), via Wikimedia Commons The Australian Council of National Trusts and the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) have written to the Department of Defence strongly objecting to its demolition proposal at RAAF Base Point Cook, which presents a significant and irreversible threat to the National and Commonwealth Heritage values of the site. RAAF Base Point Cook, also known as RAAF Base Williams, was the birthplace of the Royal Australian Air Force in 1921. Constructed near Melbourne in 1914 and still used today by some squadrons, it is Austr ..read more

Feature Image: The outskirts of Little River, facing towards the site of the proposed logistics precinct. The National Trust is concerned for the  critically endangered Western Basalt Plains Grasslands in Little River, where Pacific National are proposing to develop a new freight hub, the Little River Logistics Precinct. We believe the proposed location for a project of this magnitude is inappropriate due to the unnecessary pressures it would place on the grassland and ephemeral wetland ecosystems. Between Melbourne and Geelong, nestled near the base of the You Yangs is the small tow ..read more

Featured Image: Artist’s render of Gurrowa Place. Source: Lendlease.  In February the National Trust made a submission to the Future Melbourne Committee regarding an early works planning permit application and the proposed Queen Victoria Market (QVM) Southern Precinct Development Plan, December 2023. The National Trust supports the proposal for the replacement of the open-air carpark with Market Square. However, we have concerns regarding certainty around the design and consultation process for this new public open space, and the excising effect on the Franklin Street Stores from the rest ..read more

Feature Image: Glen Eira Post War and Hidden Gems Study (edited) In December 2023 the National Trust participated in a Planning Panel Hearing regarding a Heritage Overlay planning amendment for the City of Maroondah. During the weeklong hearing several property owners undertook works to their properties to intentionally diminish their significance in the hope the buildings would no longer meet the identified thresholds for inclusion in the proposed Heritage Overlay. Additionally in 2023, Maribyrnong City Council abandoned the West Footscray Inter-war and Post-war Heritage Precinct amendment du ..read more

Feature Image: ‘Shenley Croft’ after the fire. Source: Boroondara Council. Following the destruction of a heritage listed dwelling, ‘Shenley Croft’ at 7 Mangarra Road, Canterbury by arson, Boroondara Council’s Urban Planning Delegated Committee have endorsed recommendations to enforce the Planning & Environment Bill 2021 under section 6B. If approved by the Minister for Planning, this will be the first enforcement of section 6B, preventing development due to unlawful demolition. In 2021 the state government introduced tough new laws into the Parliament to strengthen Victoria’s buildin ..read more

Feature Image: Melbourne Suburban Streets, 2018. Credit Tom Rumble. Source: Unsplash In January the National Trust wrote to the Minister for Planning regarding sweeping planning reforms that were gazetted last month. The new planning controls concern permit exemptions for secondary dwellings, which includes properties with a Heritage Overlay. While we acknowledge that this policy decision was determined by the Victorian Government as part of implementing Victoria’s Housing Statement, to make it easier to build small second homes, we are concerned there is clear risk for heritage to be lef ..read more

Feature Image: Property recommended for the Maroondah Contemporary Homes Group Listing. Source: realestate.com.au The National Trust is deeply concerned by the conduct of property owners, who have rendered their properties during a Planning Panel Hearing in attempts to avoid Heritage Overlay protections.   In December 2023, Planning Scheme Amendment C148maro went to an independent panel hearing. The amendment sought to implement recommendations of the Maroondah Heritage Study Review – Post World War II, the first comprehensive review of the municipality in nearly 20 years. Importantly it ..read more

Feature Image: Mount Cole State Forest. Credit: David Tatnall, VNPA Have you every walked the 21 km Beeripmo Trail at Mt Buangor State Park and Mt Cole State Forest? It is a must for all nature lovers. The walk takes you through various vegetation communities ranging from herb-rich foothill forests to lush fern gullies and is home to the endemic Mt. Cole Grevilliea. It is hard to imagine that this beautiful and serene forest is to face the destructive impacts of logging. The National Trust has teamed up with the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) along with other concerned organisatio ..read more

Feature Image: Koo Wee Rup First Bridge, Track View In support of the Cardinia Shire Council, the National Trust has written to VicTrack, urging them to reconsider a plan to remove six heritage bridges in the Koo Wee Rup Swamp. This month we were advised that the state government’s responsible authority for rail land, buildings and infrastructure intends to remove the heritage bridges since Council could not afford to lease the land they are located on. The Koo Wee Rup swamp drains & timber bridges are included in the Heritage Overlay of the Cardinia Shire Planning Scheme: HO139, HO134, HO ..read more