A Traralgon pub-owner’s push to demolish a heritage building at the rear of his property has failed in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, bringing relief to community members who fought for more than a year to save it.
In a decision handed down this week, VCAT found Ostler’s House, the small brick building which sits disused and run-down on the Ryan’s Hotel property, had “substantial heritage value” and should not be torn down.
“Demolition will adversely affect the significance of the heritage place and it has not been demonstrated that it is justified,” the finding stated.
The property owner had sought to demolish the building, saying it was not viable to re-build on its existing site and posed a safety hazard.
He proposed it could be dismantled and rebuilt on another site, but Latrobe City Council found none of the work required to fix the building faults were complex, refusing the application to tear it down.
The owner then appealed the decision to VCAT.
The precise history of Ostler’s House is unclear, but it is believed to have been built around 1890 and comes under a local heritage overlay.
Traralgon Chamber of Commerce and Industry secretary Debbie Grist said the building was believed to be the town’s oldest brick building standing at its original location.
Ostler’s House was built before the iconic Ryan’s Hotel was constructed in 1914 on the site of the ‘Travellers Rest’, built by early Traralgon settler Duncan Campbell.
The term ‘ostler’ historically refers to somebody who cares for horses at an inn.
“We believe that the ostler would have stayed there at that building,” Ms Grist said.
“The coaches would arrive in town and the weary travellers would stay in the Traveller’s Rest hotel and the horses would be given to the ostler.”
Traralgon and District Historical Society committee member Johanna Sykes said the building was part of the first “hub” of Traralgon and it was a privilege to fight for its preservation.
“I hope the owners now recognise they own a very special part of the history of Traralgon,” Ms Sykes said.
The VCAT findings stated the building’s disrepair included cracking in the brickwork as a result of its brick footings, but there was “no imminent risk of collapse”.
It advised the owner to seek advice from Heritage Victoria about the best way to address the poor footings.
“The owner has apparently not carried out basic maintenance of Ostler’s House, or anything to promote its retention,” the findings stated.
“If the building’s integrity can be retained, then Ostler’s House would have the potential to have a strong role in telling part of the story of the town.”
The chamber and historical society hope to work with the owner to preserve the building and VCAT suggested their goodwill, and perhaps fundraising capacity should be harnessed, along with the support of council.
However, the report stated “the owner could allow the building to further deteriorate until such a time that it constituted a risk to public safety and necessitated an order by the council’s building surveyor”.
The owner did not respond to The Express.
