General News
16 February, 2023
Bristol Hill restoration should soon be underway, as Rotary calls for management decision
Some 18 months after Maryborough’s Bristol Hill Tower was closed to the public, works to restore and reopen the historic icon could soon be underway. In June 2021 the tower was subject to minor vandalism and during repair works, the building’s...
Some 18 months after Maryborough’s Bristol Hill Tower was closed to the public, works to restore and reopen the historic icon could soon be underway.
In June 2021 the tower was subject to minor vandalism and during repair works, the building’s structural integrity came into question, resulting in the tower’s closure.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) — formerly the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning — currently holds responsibility for the tower.
The Advertiser understands the department is currently waiting on quotes for painting and rendering works at the tower before works can commence, however a restoration of the site could be underway in the next eight to 12 weeks.
“DEECA is working with Parks Victoria and the Central Goldfields Shire Council to ensure the safe reopening of Bristol Hill Tower to the public,” a DEECA spokesperson said.
“The works required at Bristol Hill Tower require specialised contractors, and DEECA representatives have been working to find the right people with the right skills for the job, to achieve the best outcome for the site and the community.”
DEECA are currently the interim manager of the tower and surrounding land, with the department previously telling The Advertiser that moving forward, the Central Goldfields Shire Council would ideally manage the tower, carpark and road to the tower, while Parks Victoria would manage the surrounding environment.
The Maryborough Rotary Club has expressed interest in maintaining the tower and club president Garry Higgins said the indecision was frustrating.
“I think everybody’s frustrated with this but we can understand why, we just need someone to make a decision on the management of the place,” he said.
“Whether it’s at a State Government level or local government level, just make a commitment to getting the job done — it’s the indecision more than anything we’re frustrated with.
“There doesn’t seem to be any urgency at all about this and if we as a club hadn’t flagged this as an important community project, nothing may have happened.”
Rotary have plans to create a peace park at the tower, utilising it as a welcoming space for all members of the community to come together.
A memorial to the pioneers and founders of Maryborough, the tower was built during the Great Depression in 1933 and Mr Higgins said with the icon now in its 90th year, its significance needed to be recognised.
“We’ve had visitors to town who haven’t been impressed with the condition of the tower,” he said.
“It’s a valuable and historic community asset, it’s 90 years this year since the tower was built and the 100th anniversary isn’t far away.
“We should be able to show the same enthusiasm and commitment now to the tower as the people who built it in 1933 did.”