Works to start on historic Osborne House, as options are investigated further

Following
council’s decision in August 2019 to re-scope the City’s approach to the future
of the Osborne Park Precinct, a plan that narrows the focus down to Osborne
House and its immediate surrounds will now be developed.

The Osborne
House Sustainable Development Plan will cover the future use and development of
Osborne House, the stables, council depot and adjacent landscape, after
feedback from stakeholders. The plan aims to ensure it remains a sustainable
and accessible heritage asset for the community.

Council has
also given the green light for a prioritised list of maintenance and
improvement works to begin, at a cost of between $900,000 to $1.1 million from
the 2019-2020 Budget.

Stakeholders
have been heavily consulted about the asset, most notably with the Osborne Park
Association, and further engagement will be carried out with the wider
community. A Project Reference Group will be set up to ensure community
representatives have the opportunity to provide their insights and ideas to the
plan.

The draft
Sustainable Development Plan will be presented to council in July this year.
The plan is estimated to cost $130,000 to prepare, which is also covered by the
2019-2020 Budget.

Councillor Stephanie Asher – Mayor

I’m glad the
ball will start rolling on maintenance and improvement works at Osborne House.
The most urgent and important heritage work will be prioritised, which is
consistent with the findings of the Lovell Chen Conservation Management Plan
2009

I understand
it’s a frustrating wait but the community can rest assured that the City is
committed to getting this right.

Councillor Eddy Kontelj

There’s still a
lot of work to be done but I believe a sustainable development plan, that
focuses on Osborne House and its immediate surrounds, puts us on the right
track.

I’m interested
to hear from the community about how this historic asset should be developed
and used, and encourage interested members to give their input when engagement
opens.

Councillor Anthony Aitken

There’s been a
lot of community consultation about how best to move forward and I believe
council’s decision is a step in the right direction.

Osborne House
is beloved by the community, which I’m sure will be pleased to hear maintenance
and improvement works will be prioritised.