Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Baw Baw Local News

Public park to be developed at the site of the Hollies Homestead in Drouin

As a result of a collaborative design process with the local developers of the Ferntree Ridge precinct, the Drouin Historic Park will continue to honour the historic value of The Hollies homestead site.

By news@gippsland - 13th September 2021 - Back to News

Following an extensive planning process, the aged homestead at 245 Main South Road, Drouin (known locally as The Hollies) will be removed, with the surrounding environment to be redeveloped as a landscaped park for public use which includes design elements acknowledging the site's local significance.

Concept plan for the park at the site of The Hollies, including raised garden bed using original bricks outlining the footprint of the homestead

Protection on heritage grounds

The outcome is the product of a thorough planning process which included a proposed Planning Scheme Amendment, a Planning Panel hearing into the site's eligibility for heritage protection, and dialogue between Council and the applicant to find an end result that respects community sentiment towards The Hollies' history.

Following an application by the site's owner to develop the property in 2019, concerns were raised by some members of the community that the homestead's local significance warranted its protection on heritage grounds. In response, Council placed an interim Heritage Overlay on the property so that its heritage significance could be officially assessed via a Planning Scheme Amendment.

Acknowledging local significance

That was ultimately brought before an independent Planning Panel appointed by the Minister for Planning. The Planning Panel found that the site did not meet the criteria necessary to grant heritage status. As a result of this Planning Panel advice, Council abandoned the Amendment in August 2020 with the interim Heritage Overlay subsequently expiring on 27 March 2021.

With the site ineligible for heritage status, removal of the building as per the planning application may proceed. Council has been advised that demolition will proceed imminently, likely by the end of the week. While the applicants are under no obligation to preserve any part of the building, Council and the applicants entered into dialogue to explore design options for the site that acknowledges the local significance of the property.

As a result of that process the designs for the public park will include a raised garden bed feature outlining the homestead's structural footprint, with original bricks from the building repurposed for use in its construction. Interpretive signage will also be installed to tell the site's story.

Having dialogue with the residents

Mayor Cr Danny Goss said, "We've been committed to finding a solution for the site that would honour its history and the applicants have been open to working with us on that. The proposed design for the park is a good outcome. It will be a space that can be enjoyed by the community and the homestead garden bed and signage will maintain that important link with the site's history."

"We know The Hollies hold significance for local residents. As a council, we put a lot of effort into investigating possible heritage protection for the site. Although that hasn't proved viable and I know there will be some residents who won't agree with the Planning Panel's decision, council has had to take that advice and move forward," said Cr Danny.

Pictures from Wikipedia.org website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• East Gippsland drivers urged to follow parking limits this festive season to support local businesses
  East Gippsland Shire Council reminds drivers to follow festive season parking limits, ensuring accessibility, supporting local businesses, and avoiding fines, while respecting loading zones and disabled parking bays.
• Indigenous artist Lionel Rose Junior honoured for Warragul Station Park artwork celebrating culture, community and family legacy
  Indigenous artist Lionel Rose Junior's cockatoo design now features in Warragul Station Park, honouring Kurnai and Gunditjmara heritage, community ties, and his family legacy alongside uncle Lionel Rose's iconic statue.
• Cowes Primary students visited Berninneit, meeting Mayor Halstead, exploring community spaces, learning about leadership and environment
  Curious Cowes Primary students meet Mayor Halstead at Berninneit, exploring local government, community spaces and environmental leadership during community walk visit.
• Drouin’s Commercial Place Stage 1 of the $1.1M project set to begin this to boost safety, accessibility and vibrancy
  Stage 1 of the $1.1 million Drouin Commercial Place upgrade begins this week, improving safety, accessibility, footpaths, carparks, and pedestrian areas, with minimal disruption and partial parking available.
• Melina Bath criticises Labor government shutting public beekeeping, threatening Victoria's food security and horticultural jobs
  Melina Bath condemned the Allan Labor government's closure of public land beekeeping, warning it threatens food security, pollination, horticultural exports, and regional jobs, calling for policy reversal and support for apiarists.
• Drouin Picnic Racing Club receives $13,519 upgrade boost through Allan Labor government's Regional Customer Facilities Program
  Drouin Picnic Racing Club will receive $13,519 to upgrade facilities and enhance race day experiences, part of the Allan Labor government's $730,000 investment improving regional racing venues statewide.
• Melina Bath blames Allan government as Victoria's public housing waitlist surges amid worsening housing crisis
  Victoria's housing crisis deepens as public housing waitlists surge past 60,000. Melina Bath blames the Allan government's inaction, rising taxes, and mismanagement for worsening homelessness and unaffordable rents across the state.
• Walhalla, Gippsland’s historic gold rush village, offers heritage sites, scenic walks, charming cafes, and unforgettable alpine experiences
  Walhalla, Gippsland’s historic gold rush village, enchants with heritage buildings, scenic walks, ghost tours, cherry blossoms, alpine charm, quirky cafes, the Goldfields Railway, Long Tunnel Mine, and nearby natural adventures.
• Latrobe City Council seeks community feedback on the future of Moe Gardens Caravan Park as lease nears end
  Latrobe City Council is inviting community feedback on the future of Moe Gardens Caravan Park, with the current operator's lease expiring in May 2026 under Crown Land Leasing Policy requirements for open and impartial processes.
• Latrobe City Council endorsed applications for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, targeting high-risk crash sites across the shire
  Latrobe City Council has applied for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, proposing safety upgrades at Traralgon, Morwell, and Newborough crash sites. Successful projects will involve community consultation during the design phase.
• Omeo Justice Precinct draft masterplan unveiled to preserve heritage, enhance community use, and boost economy
  Omeo Mountain Bike Park opens December with over 100km of world-class trails, boosting tourism, jobs, and community pride. Final touches, shuttles, and events promise an inclusive, adventure-filled destination.
• South Gippsland Shire Council seeks community feedback on two proposed accessible locations for new toilet facilities in Nyora's RSL Park
  South Gippsland Shire Council invites feedback on two proposed Nyora RSL Park toilet locations, offering improved safety, accessibility, and amenities. Submissions close Sunday, 12 October 2025.
• Melina Bath condemns Labor for blocking protest bill and failing to protect police, businesses, and public safety
  Labor, backed by the Greens and minor parties, blocked Nationals and Liberals legislation to ban protest face coverings, which Melina Bath said betrayed police, small businesses, and public safety across Victoria.
• Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club track redevelopment a "big win for people power," says Martin Cameron
  Racing will resume at Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club after Glenview Park track redevelopment, hailed by Martin Cameron as a "big win for people power" following community and trainer advocacy.