RE: Permit Application No. PLA0217/07

Peter Mc Whinney,

                            Please accept this letter in response to the planning application by Gippsland Water to demolish the historic water pumping station situated at Rokeby.

As secretary of Rokeby/Crossover Friends Group I am writing to put before council the interest and knowledge that our group have of this historic site.

Background: On July 6^th 07 a representative from our group met with Ann Napier, the shire heritage adviser, to discuss the heritage Crossover Trestle Bridge. At the meeting Ann asked that we look into the Pump Station demolition application and whether or not our group would be interested in retaining the station and taking on a management role?

After spending many hours doing investigative work and touring the site we held a   meeting of interested parties at Rokeby Hall on the 8^th August 07 to discuss options and clear up a few of the myths that we uncovered during investigations.

For your interest here are some notes from that meeting:

Participants who contributed to the discussion included members of our group, Rokeby residents, representatives from Baw Baw Old Engine and Auto Club and Ann Napier. Both Crs. Ruth McGowan and Ivan Saxton were invited but sent apologies. (We deliberately did not invite a representative from Gippsland Water.)

Relevant points discussed included:

1)      The actual building has NO heritage value, only the site is heritage listed.

2)      There is presently NO public access to the site. To access the site now you must either cross private property (a right presently afforded to the public by consent from property owner Ian Knowles) or traverse the bushland from the old railway line.

3)      The costs involved to retain and restore the building along with costs to maintain the overall site in future would be high terms of both dollars and volunteer input.

4)      The best “value for money spent” options from the aspects of tourism, heritage, security, on going maintenance and insurance liabilities.

Outcomes from the meeting:

1)      The gathering unanimously agreed that the building should be demolished as it has no significance (either historic or implied) to the actual site and the costs involved to upgrade and maintain the building when balanced against any potential benefits would be totally un-reasonable.

2)      The structural foundations of the station and surrounding site could and should be retained and made safe for public access as the heritage significance of the pump station should not be under estimated.

3)      Preservation of the actual site may benefit future tourism and heritage studies.

4)      A significant monument with a plaque attached could be erected at the site once the building is cleared and the foundations made safe.

5)      An access track could be formed from the old railway line through to the site. This would align with Councils own  “recreational strategies” and the walking track network that is being developed.

6)       The actual pumping machinery could be displayed, at an appropriate site in Rokeby Township, in recognition of the part it played in local history.

7)      As managers of the site, Gippsland Water has strong ethical obligations to ensure the very best outcome for all parties concerned. These obligations should not be ignored in the face of business pressures.

Given the ownership role of Gippsland Water it is not appropriate for our group to take on a role of “long term managers” for the site.However, we would be willing to consider involvement in the planning and implementation what the council may decide.

We have also indicated to Ann Napier that we would be more than willing to meet with Gippsland Water representatives to discuss our meeting outcomes, as above, and to liaise with every-one involved with a view to resolving the future of the site.