Former Belgrave Grammar School, Belgrave’s oldest building, at risk of demolition

HERITAGE lovers fear Belgrave’s oldest building could be bulldozed if the almost century-old building falls into the wrong hands.

HERITAGE lovers fear Belgrave will lose another important link to its past if developers demolish the suburb’s oldest building.

Yarra Ranges councillors were accused of being money-hungry after voting to sell the almost 100-year-old former Belgrave Grammar School in July.

COUNCIL TO SELL OFF FORMER BELGRAVE GRAMMAR SCHOOL AS ‘SURPLUS’

YARRA VALLEY RAILWAY YARRA GLEN TO HEALESVILLE LINE ON TRACK

EXTRA CAR PARKS AT FOUR TRAIN STATIONS IN BID TO EASE CONGESTION

The historic weatherboard at 1632 Burwood Highway, near the Cameo cinema, remains important to the community, with many groups fighting to keep it public hands.

Ray White Commercial Ferntree Gully has pitched the site as “ripe” for development.

Councillors Tony Stevenson, Jim Child, Richard Higgins, Terry Avery and Mayor Len Cox voted to offload the building in July.

Cr Tony Stevenson previously said time had run out for the community to have its say on the use of the building and was best served by the new million-dollar Belgrave Hub.

Susan Heywood-Downard (left) and Marian Mattar in front of the former Belgrave Grammar School. Picture: Daniel Pockett

But Dandenong Ranges Historical Council president Susan Heywood-Downard said protecting Belgrave’s heritage was important.

Mrs Heywood-Downard said two heritage buildings — the Anglican Church and vicarage — had already been levelled to make way for the hub, and now the town’s oldest structure could also be destroyed.

“I’m sure a development opportunity is what the councillors who voted for this had in mind,” she said.

“They overspent on the hub and they want the cash back to help defray the costs.”

The former Belgrave Grammar School may be demolished by developers. Picture: Daniel Pockett

Belgrave Traders President Glenn Chandler said he hoped the successful buyer made the decision to upgrade and keep the historical building.

Cr Mike Clarke said he wanted the council to find someone who was willing to buy the property as an asset to use in the best possible way.

“I tried very hard not to sell it and for the council to own and upgrade it,” he said.

He said the site had missed out on heritage protection, but there was an opportunity for the property to be used as a boutique museum, a place for tourists to access information on surrounding sights and interests, and a trader hub.

The 267sq m site was being advertised as a “commercial property with development potential” with a closing date of September 25.

MORE NEWS

WOMAN HELPING PUPPY KILLED IN DONVALE TRUCK TRAGEDY

SIX-YEAR-OLD FACES THE FIGHT OF HIS LIFE

FAMILY BAGS $11.13 MILLION SUPERSITE SALE