A HISTORIC bluestone homestead in Sydenham Park built in the 1840s will be restored with funds from the State Government and Brimbank City Council.
The council has been successful in obtaining $75,000 under the Victoria’s Heritage Grants scheme for the restoration of Robertson’s Homestead.
The council last week accepted the funding offer and will consider allocating $100,000 as a co-contribution to the project to enable the works to be completed in the 2008-09 budget.
Robertson’s Homestead adjoins the Keilor Golf Course and is on land that was originally used for grazing. It is one of the few buildings remaining that reflect the region’s early pastoral origins.
The works will include the removing non-original features and preserving the integrity of the building. Brimbank mayor Sam David said the council was happy to accept the funding for the homestead, which is in a heritage overlay area in the Brimbank planning scheme.
“Council’s heritage buildings are important community assets and this is a very important opportunity to restore and preserve a building which represents Brimbank’s rich history for the benefit of future generations,” Cr David said.
“The council will now consider the allocation of our co-contribution to the works through the budget process.
“We will also investigate opportunities to use Federal and State Government funded labour market program to help with other works needed at the homestead not included in the funded project, such as painting, landscaping and cabinetry.”
Taylors Ward councillor Natalie Suleyman said the homestead was significant to the history of Brimbank and in particular to the Sydenham and Keilor area.
“The restoration of the homestead is extremely important,” Cr Suleyman said.
