The organisation created to protect Victoria's heritage has said it had strongly supported a council fernery project after critical remarks were made by a councillor. Cr Grant Tillett previously said he thought Heritage Victoria had "stymied" building works in the historical Ballarat Botanical Gardens. Cr Tillett made his comments when a variation in a contract emerged, saying that he was "very angry" with the budget overrun. There was $1.4 million originally earmarked for the project, which has now increased to $1.67 - or around $270,000 more than planned. However, Heritage Victoria said they were "highly supportive" of the construction of the fernery. They said they issued two building permit approvals, on January 9, 2019 as well as an amendment to that permit in April 2019 - and that they were not responsible for overseeing works. The City of Ballarat applied for the first permit in October 2018. The amendment, which was for further demolition of the derelict former fernery, was made on April 4 2019 and was approved in the same month on April 29. "Heritage Victoria issues permits - we do not implement or manage works," said Steven Avery, the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria in a written statement. The Courier highlighted an update published earlier this year, in which then director of infrastructure and environment Terry Demo said Heritage Victoria had taken "significant interest in the internal landscape treatment of the fernery". The organisation did not reference that process directly in its response, but Mr Avery said: "The City of Ballarat is familiar with Heritage Victoria processes and the delivery of heritage projects." "Heritage Victoria has been highly supportive of the project and is unaware of any delays or concerns relating to approvals." Building work on the project is underway and involves three local contractors. The "fantasy Gothic" style of the building under construction is based on the design of the Batten fernery which was originally created in the gardens in the 19th century. A new fernery was identified as a priority project for the Lakes and Gardens precinct, after extensive public consultation conducted more than five years ago. The funding was originally set aside in the May 2015 budget but the project was held as designs went through different incarnations. Demolition of the previous building, which closed in 2013 and had lain derelict since, began last May. The first sod was turned on the current works in June this year. At present, there is no confirmed funding for stage 2 of the project, which would allow for the storage of ferns in the fernery. Councillors approved the process for beginning stage two - and efforts to obtain further funding - in May. Heritage Victoria said a 2019 application to its Living Heritage Program to fund the fernery's reconstruction was unsuccessful as the project did not meet the criteria. The program has provided $2 million funding for Her Majesty's Theatre in 2016, $200,000 for the Ballarat RAAF Base in 2017 and $175,000 to the Ballarat Mechanics Institute in 2019. Steven Avery, Executive Director of Heritage Victoria: Heritage Victoria issues permits - we do not implement or manage works. The City of Ballarat is familiar with Heritage Victoria processes and the delivery of heritage projects Heritage Victoria has been highly supportive of the project and is unaware of any delays or concerns relating to approvals. BACKGROUND Fees for the permit application and subsequent amendment were waived by Heritage Victoria and approvals provided in accordance with required timeframes under the Heritage Act 2017. A permit application was made by the City of Ballarat on 14 October 2018 for the reconstruction of the Eastern Pavilion of the Fernery in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The permit was issued by Heritage Victoria on 9 January 2019. The permit amendment request was requested by the City of Ballarat on 4 April 2019 and was approved by Heritage Victoria on 29 April 2019. In 2019, the City of Ballarat applied for funding from Heritage Victoria's Living Heritage Program for the reconstruction of the Fernery. This application was unsuccessful as the project did not meet the program criteria. The City of Ballarat has received funding for many other projects from the Living Heritage Program including $2 million for Her Majesty's Theatre in 2016, $200,000 for the Ballarat RAAF Base in 2017 and $175,000 to the Ballarat Mechanics Institute in 2019 - as well as urgent works to Reid's Coffee Palace, the Ballarat Synagogue and Ballarat Trades Hall. The permit amendment was for further demolition of 1950s fernery structure by 9 bays and a set of columns on the east end. The amendment was issued within 25 days. TIMELINE April 2015: Friends of Botanical Garden appeal to city council May 2015: More than $1.4 million for revamp of Ballarat Botanical Gardens attraction March 2016:Ballarat's fernery set for redevelopment January 2018:Three months to secure funding for fernery grand plans May 2018: New Botanical Gardens fernery plan heads back to gothic structure June 2018:This amazing building could soon tower above the Gardens once more, if it's approved October 2018: Ballarat City Council to decide future of botanical gardens fernery May 2019:Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens 'thrilled to bits' as work begins towards 'Gothic fantasy' fernery October 2019: Victorian fernery returns to Ballarat Botanical Gardens February 2020: Date for 'fantasy' Gothic fernery at Ballarat Botanical Gardens still unsure June 2020: First sod turned for 'fantasy Gothic' fernery recreation at Ballarat Botanical Gardens August 2020: 'Poorly conceived' council project now more than a quarter million dollars over budget If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thankyou very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.
The organisation created to protect Victoria's heritage has said it had strongly supported a council fernery project after critical remarks were made by a councillor.
Cr Grant Tillett previously said he thought Heritage Victoria had "stymied" building works in the historical Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
Cr Tillett made his comments when a variation in a contract emerged, saying that he was "very angry" with the budget overrun.
Heritage Victoria has been highly supportive of the project and is unaware of any delays or concerns relating to approvals
There was $1.4 million originally earmarked for the project, which has now increased to $1.67 - or around $270,000 more than planned.
However, Heritage Victoria said they were "highly supportive" of the construction of the fernery.
They said they issued two building permit approvals, on January 9, 2019 as well as an amendment to that permit in April 2019 - and that they were not responsible for overseeing works.
The City of Ballarat applied for the first permit in October 2018. The amendment, which was for further demolition of the derelict former fernery, was made on April 4 2019 and was approved in the same month on April 29.
"Heritage Victoria issues permits - we do not implement or manage works," said Steven Avery, the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria in a written statement.
Ditchy's view
The Courier highlighted an update published earlier this year, in which then director of infrastructure and environment Terry Demo said Heritage Victoria had taken "significant interest in the internal landscape treatment of the fernery".
The organisation did not reference that process directly in its response, but Mr Avery said: "The City of Ballarat is familiar with Heritage Victoria processes and the delivery of heritage projects."
"Heritage Victoria has been highly supportive of the project and is unaware of any delays or concerns relating to approvals."
Building work on the project is underway and involves three local contractors. The "fantasy Gothic" style of the building under construction is based on the design of the Batten fernery which was originally created in the gardens in the 19th century.
A new fernery was identified as a priority project for the Lakes and Gardens precinct, after extensive public consultation conducted more than five years ago. The funding was originally set aside in the May 2015 budget but the project was held as designs went through different incarnations.
Demolition of the previous building, which closed in 2013 and had lain derelict since, began last May. The first sod was turned on the current works in June this year.
At present, there is no confirmed funding for stage 2 of the project, which would allow for the storage of ferns in the fernery.
The original Batten fernery
Councillors approved the process for beginning stage two - and efforts to obtain further funding - in May.
Heritage Victoria said a 2019 application to its Living Heritage Program to fund the fernery's reconstruction was unsuccessful as the project did not meet the criteria.
The program has provided $2 million funding for Her Majesty's Theatre in 2016, $200,000 for the Ballarat RAAF Base in 2017 and $175,000 to the Ballarat Mechanics Institute in 2019.
Heritage Victoria's Response in full
Steven Avery, Executive Director of Heritage Victoria:
Heritage Victoria issues permits - we do not implement or manage works.
The City of Ballarat is familiar with Heritage Victoria processes and the delivery of heritage projects
Heritage Victoria has been highly supportive of the project and is unaware of any delays or concerns relating to approvals.
BACKGROUND
Fees for the permit application and subsequent amendment were waived by Heritage Victoria and approvals provided in accordance with required timeframes under the Heritage Act 2017.
A permit application was made by the City of Ballarat on 14 October 2018 for the reconstruction of the Eastern Pavilion of the Fernery in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
The permit was issued by Heritage Victoria on 9 January 2019. The permit amendment request was requested by the City of Ballarat on 4 April 2019 and was approved by Heritage Victoria on 29 April 2019.
In 2019, the City of Ballarat applied for funding from Heritage Victoria's Living Heritage Program for the reconstruction of the Fernery. This application was unsuccessful as the project did not meet the program criteria.
The City of Ballarat has received funding for many other projects from the Living Heritage Program including $2 million for Her Majesty's Theatre in 2016, $200,000 for the Ballarat RAAF Base in 2017 and $175,000 to the Ballarat Mechanics Institute in 2019 - as well as urgent works to Reid's Coffee Palace, the Ballarat Synagogue and Ballarat Trades Hall.
The permit amendment was for further demolition of 1950s fernery structure by 9 bays and a set of columns on the east end. The amendment was issued within 25 days.
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thankyou very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.
