In August the National Trust made a submission to consultation on the Victorian Government’s next creative industries strategy, Creative State. Our submission builds on recommendations made by the National Trust in 2019 to the last Creative State Strategy (2020-2025). For this next strategy we note that cultural heritage is a vital part of the creative industries sector. It is essential that cultural heritage is embraced and championed as part of the upcoming Strategy to ensure the creation of diverse and inclusive creative practice and communities, to provide opportunities for a sustainable c ..read more

September 17, 2020 In 2019 the National Trust was awarded a DELWP Living Heritage Grant to undertake conservation works to its State listed properties over two years. This year, part of this grant has been used for conservation work to one of the sidelights at Labassa front door. Powder at the base of these windows had being noted, suspected to be lead oxide caused by a break-down of the lead. Plate glass had being fitted as a protective system previously and it was suspected that this was contributing to a build-up of moisture. Stained Glass artist and conservator Bruce Hutton of Almond Glass ..read more

The National Trust is thrilled by news that Pacific National have withdrawn plans to develop a freight rail terminal in the critically endangered Western Basalt Plains Grasslands of Little River. This is an outstanding win for the the Little River community, and in particular we applaud the Little River Action Group for their determination in petitioning against the development. The National Trust has supported the Little River community in their fight against the Little River Logistics Precinct, in August we released the following statement: The National Trust believes the proposed locat ..read more

Feature Image: Render of proposed facadism at Former Taxation Office. Source: Wardle Studio The National Trust has objected to a Ministerial Permit application made by the Department of Transport and Planning’s Land and Property Group to facade the Victorian Government owned Former Taxation Office at 436 Lonsdale St, Melbourne. Under the State Government Development Facilitation Program, the permit seeks part demolition of the existing building (all but the Lonsdale Street facade) and construction of a 23 storey building. Built in 1924 the Taxation Office is classified by the National Trust an ..read more

Feature Image: Credit Krista Purmale on Unsplash The National Trust has called upon the State Government to invest in the heritage protections system and cultural heritage as a wider industry to combat challenges the new Plan for Victoria seeks to address. In August we submitted to consultation on the Big Ideas for shaping Victoria’s future, encouraging, incentives for incorporation of heritage building stock, landscapes and trees into development design for liveability, and assurances that Local Councils and communities are supported to be part of decision-making about change t ..read more

Feature Image: c. 1900-1906 photograph looking east towards Ballarat Railway Station. Source: State Library of Victoria V/Line has applied to Heritage Victoria, seeking to replace, relocate and decommission elements of the replica heritage swing gates at the Ballarat Railway Station level crossing on Lydiard Street. The plans seek to retain the originally temporary boom gates that were installed while a permanent solution for the damaged swing gates was investigated. The National Trust has objected to the application, maintaining that reconstruction/reinstatement of the swing gates in the ..read more

Feature Image: Trust for Nature at Endeavour Fern Gully, Red Hill, 2019. Credit: Annette Ruzicka The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) supports the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage, and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make decisions about their cultural heritage. We fully support the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council and the state system for Cultural Heritage Management Plans, which provides an essential fulfilment of the rights of Victorian Traditional Owners to protect their cultural heritage. We agree with the Abo ..read more

Feature Image: Shell House, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne. 2018 The National Trust is disappointed by news that the Minister for Planning has approved the development application under ministerial call-in to demolish part of Harry Seidler’s Shell House and construct a new high-rise office tower.  The National Trust believes, when properly considered and integrated into planning and development, heritage provides an opportunity for sustainable and innovative design solutions that protect what the community values and provide great places to live, work and play. We support the adaptive reuse o ..read more

In July 2023 the National Trust made a submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Climate Resilience in Victoria. The Inquiry will examine into the main risks facing Victoria’s built environment and infrastructure from climate change and the impact these will have on the people of Victoria, including how the Government is preparing for these impacts, the barriers in upgrading infrastructure to become more resilient to the impacts, and the preparedness for future climate disaster events. The NTAV response emphasises the importance of heritage conservation in mitigating climate change and reco ..read more

Feature Image: A high rise public housing tower that has been nominated for assessment for the Victorian Heritage Register, Park Towers, South Melbourne. Source: National Trust of Australia (Victoria) A late 1960s public housing tower, Park Towers in South Melbourne, has been nominated to be assessed for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register. This is a reminder that heritage is not always gilded with gold, and places and objects significant to our communities are diverse and layered. We should protect examples of places that are an important part of our social history and fabric and pro ..read more