More than 10 historic structures of European origin, located in growth areas, have been identified for preservation in a Wyndham council review.
The review has identified several bluestone farmhouse ruins as being of heritage significance, including Doherty’s House and Missen House on Doherty’s Road, Wattle Park Farm off Sewells Road and Robertson’s Farm off Derrimut Road.
For ruins located on private land, the council will seek to work in collaboration with land owners to “preserve and reactivate” the heritage sites.
Early next year, the council will engage heritage architects to provide expert advice on how the sites should be preserved.
The advice will include a strategic review of which features of the ruins can be retained and the extent to which the sites can be restored and adapted for community or commercial use.
Wyndham’s city design portfolio holder, Councillor Josh Gilligan, said he was pleased that the council “is taking a proactive approach to recover and rediscover the value of heritage sites throughout Wyndham city”.
“Heritage and Tarneit are not two words we often hear in a sentence,” Cr Gilligan said.
“We’re changing that.
“Transforming Doherty’s House from a bluestone ruin into a fit-for-purpose community space will create a defining place for Tarneit residents to enjoy now and into the future.”
The advice which the council receives from architects will contribute to the development of a specialist heritage report, which will outline approaches the council could take in relation to the heritage sites.
This report will contribute to developing a new Heritage Ruins in Open Spaces Policy for the council, to inform a consistent approach to planning, advocacy and investment in heritage ruins.
The policy will also outline a strategy for prioritising historically-significant sites for investment in restoration and recovery.
The specialist heritage report will be delivered to the council in 2022.
