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Old and new: An impression of the Quest apartment to be built above Ryans Hotel in Traralgon. image supplied
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A Traralgon quest
LATROBE City Council has approved a five storeyhigh Quest apartment block that will loom over the heritage-listed Hotel Traralgon and Ostlers House 1880s-era historic precinct on Franklin Street. But the planning permit ensures that the heritage vales of the pub also known as Ryans Hotel and the associated Ostlers House will be preserved as part of the development. The 20-metre-high development will include 38 serviced apartments and 41 car parks, with a ground floor reception, lobby, conference room, office and gym. The permit comes attached with 37 conditions, including retaining the red brick façade on both the pub and Ostler House. It also means the pub’s beer garden, fence and extension to the rear, which is used as a night club will be removed in the development, which are non-original elements to the building. Developer BFN representatives fronted Latrobe City councillors at the August ordinary council meeting, stressing the proposal had been desi-
gned to respond to the precinct’s heritage values. BFN representative Blanche Manuel said the building would be set back from Kay Street to give “breathing space” to Ostlers House. Ms Manuel said Ostlers House would be left as is, but did not rule out turning it into a coffee shop or similar small retail outlet into the future, with the submission of another planning application. “It’s a very unique site with compelling challenges, it interfaces with two heritage buildings, council car park and is also located opposite the Traralgon cenotaph,” Ms Manuel said. “(The application) is an integrated and respectful response to the heritage (value) which was key in this design.” The application attracted 13 objections around the potential impact on Ostlers House and Ryans Hotel and surrounding historic precinct, and impacts on car parking. Traralgon historian Jenny Hammett withdrew her objection when she was assured that the buildings’ heritage values and red brick façade would be preserved. Ms Hammett also supported the concept of turning
Ostlers House into a coffee shop to give the unused building “a life”. “I personally don’t have any qualms about this development happening, it is important we are able to blend cultural heritage and build for the future,” she said. “But I would object if it went ahead without appreciating the cultural heritage of the site.” Latrobe City councillors spoke in favour for the development, stating the need for more accommodation in town with major events such as the Commonwealth Games coming up. Cr Graeme Middlemiss said he believed the developers had “done a magnificent job” of integrating an ultra-modern building with the historical precinct. “It doesn’t grate, it doesn’t intrude. This development visually respects this precinct,” Cr Middlemiss said. “It’s in an area of bourgeoning commercial development, pressure from developers will continue to get stronger, we would eventually attract a multi-storey development in that area.”
COMMUNITY CORNER WITH LIAM DURKIN - PAGES 14-15
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