Campaigns

 

The Trust has been lobbying for the preservation of Victoria's heritage since 1956. Advocacy is a major priority for the Trust. As the largest community based heritage organisation in Victoria, the National Trust is the lead body that can launch campaigns to protect heritage places from threats to their significance. Our major campaigns are below. For other issues visit our advocacy page.

     
 

Windsor Hotel

Supreme Court decision ends our legal campaign, however...

 

Latest: July 2011

The Windsor Hotel owners have modified the design of the corner element in order to comply with Heritage Council ruling on height of corner building. The design of the imposing 27 storey tower to be constructed on the to-be-demolished rear section will however remain unchanged.

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Unloved!

What has become of our historic pubs?

 

We believe that we are seeing a trend of deterioration amongst our watering holes. Pubs form an important part of our socio-cultural history and identity, making their abandonment even more profound. We are seeking demolished, unsympathetically re-used or simply unloved pubs. More...

     
 

Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour

Removal of mature trees and creation of roundabout at Woolpack Road

 

The proposed Western Highway Realignment Project includes an extension of Woolpack Road to the realigned highway - which with removal of up to 12 mature Dutch Elms will threaten the Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour.

The Trust believes that all alternative routes should be exhausted before any trees are removed.

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Save Our City

A number of developments threaten Melbourne's CBD heritage

 

The proposed tower at 80 Collins Street (pictured) would completely dominate the famous 'Paris End' of Collins Street. Since heritage listings have not beeen reviwed for over 20 years, many places remain unprotected. The good news is the City of Melbourne's Central City Heritage Review released in June recommending 98 addiitonal places for heritage protection.

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W Class Trams

State budget promises better future for W Class Trams

 

Our campaigning with Bill McHarg during the 2010 state election succeeded in drawing promises for a more secure future for the W Class Trams in Melbourne. $8 million was subsequently committed in the 2011-2012 State budget. Transport Minister Terry Mulder said "This Budget funding will provide for maintenance and restoration of Melbourne’s W-Class tram fleet and trial a limited return of trams that are currently out of service to the fleet."

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Cerberus

Ongoing preservation initiatives

 

Launched in 1868, the Cerberus is the only remaining breastwork monitor class warship left in the world. The Cerberus is one of the most historically important naval vesels in existence, with world-wide significance in the development of naval architecture and the conduct of naval warfare. A digital survey and design for stabilisation works to the vessel is being funded by the Commonwealth's National Heritage Investment Initiative. More...

     
 

Flinders Street Station

100 years old...but a tale of neglect behind the façade

 

This celebrated and symbolic gateway to the city, where millions have ‘met under the clocks’ and which was a work and social hub for thousands of railway employees, hides a sorry tale internally of physical neglect by its owner, the State government. Whilst two-thirds of the building is occupied and maintained by lessee Metro Trains, one-third is simply abandoned and neglected.

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Alpine Grazing

Alpine grazing precedent threatens all National Parks

 

The Victorian Government’s so called ‘scientific trial’ of cattle grazing in the Alpine National Park could set a precedent that would open the gate for cattle grazing and other damaging activities in National Parks around the country, environment and heritage groups have warned.

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ABC for Rippon Lea

Opportunity to restore lost gardens

 

With the pending relocation of the ABC studios located next to Rippon Lea Estate comes an opportunity to restore part of the gardens lost in the 1950s, and to provide much needed parking and perhaps a visitors centre.

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Highett Grassy Woodlands

CSIRO selling site for housing

 

The Trust, together with Friends of Highett Grassy Woodland are advocating the preservation of an environmentally and historically significant 3 hectare of land, known as the Highett Grassy Woodland, for the benefit of the community and the environment. The entire CSIRO site is in the process of being sold through a Federal Government process.

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