By Charlene Macaulay
A Werribee resident is calling on Wyndham council to hold off on making a decision about the future of the World War II gun mounts discovered at a Werribee South carpark.
Lisa Heinrichs, who is sourcing more information about Werribee South’s role in the war through the Australian War Memorial and the National Archives, believes a council-commissioned historical heritage assessment has not covered all the bases.
Ms Heinrichs argues that a decision on the future of the gun mounts, or emplacements, should be put on hold until their historical significance has been properly ascertained.
As reported by Star Weekly last month, a heritage report recommended that while the gun mounts be kept exposed during the carpark redevelopment works to allow for archaeological recording, “it will be necessary for them to be covered to allow for establishment of the car parking bays”.
Wyndham council economy, liveability and innovation acting director Peter McKinnon said responsibility for recognising or commemorating the gun mounts fell to Heritage Victoria, not the council.
Mayor Mia Shaw added: “I’m keen, as I’m sure my fellow ward councillors are, to work with Heritage Victoria and the local community to come up with a solution for the site.”
