Ranges
5 Tuesday, 10 April, 2018
Trader
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7
A Mail News Group publication
Covering the Dandenongs in the Yarra Ranges & Cardinia Shires
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Fears on mansion Further damage to an already-dilapidated Norris Building may occur before any refurbishment works take place, objectors to the Burnham Beeches development fear. After Yarra Ranges Council paved the way for the much-loved site's development late last month, objectors to the proposal have said the developers' promise to restore the building may take some years to eventuate. Hills resident Kathryn Nauta said many who were concerned with the site's future believe the developers will place business interests at Burnham Beeches before the Norris Building restoration. Ms Nauta said the co-developers - celebrity chef Shannon Bennett and business partner Adam Garrison - must indicate a timeline for the restoration project. "The mansion restoration (may) not be started until all other proposed businesses are established and financially viable," she said. "The public have been seriously misled by omission of this information and by media statements by owners, suggesting that restoration of the mansion would be the first stage of the development. "Social media over the last week clearly demonstrates the public ignorance of the reality." Ms Nauta said there should be greater concern the building will degenerate further, while the date of refurbishment remains unknown. "At this stage, further damage might be preventable. It certainly wasn't there 10 years ago," she said. "The suggestion is often made that objectors simply come from local residents who don't want their comfort spoiled. And yet I don't know anyone who doesn't want the mansion restored." Ms Nauta has cited significant water damage that can be observed inside the building, which she said wasn't there before the developers took ownership of the building seven years ago. Fellow objector Peta Freeman has also expressed fears further damage may occur to the building.
Ms Nauta and Ms Freeman said objectors still have their doubts over the restoration, despite assurances from the developers their motivation is to see the site return to its original glory. Overall, Bennett and Mr Garrison plan to develop the estate to include a residential hotel (including ancillary bars, dining areas and functional facility), two licensed restaurants in the Piggery building and a microbrewery with associated licensed food and drink areas. Their plans also include the potential removal of as many as 13 beech trees, so road works can be undertaken on Sherbrooke Road to create a safe intersection at the main entry. Ms Freeman has pleaded with council and the developers to retain as many trees as possible. " ... the applicants intend to remove 10 to 13 of the landmark beech trees that make up the Avenue of Beeches ... for which the property is renowned," Ms Freeman said. "Not only is the Avenue of Beeches a landmark in the Dandenong Ranges ... but it is the only Avenue of Copper Beeches on the National Trust's Significant Tree register, with only four other individual beech specimens classified in Victoria." Other issues raised have included parking, patron numbers, fire danger, trading hours, waste water removal and the intended use of the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens driveway. Meanwhile, News Corp. recently reported Bennett has sold down another stake of his Vue Group to Singaporean businessmen. Reports say Bennett's stake in the renowned Vue de monde restaurant is now below 20 per cent. Both developers have previously told the 'Mail' the stake of Vue Group will have no effect on their interests in Burnham Beeches.
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