Resident fails to take shine to restoration

By Dion Teasdale
A MILLGROVE resident has criticised the Shire of Yarra Ranges over the restoration of the Warburton Mechanics Institute.
Handyman Thomas Hearne has accused the shire of creating a double standard by allowing reflective roofing materials to be used in the project.
“The shire bans everyone from using shiny building materials on roofs, yet here they are allowing highly reflective materials to be used on their own project,” he said.
“If anyone else had done something like this, they would find themselves in hot water. The shire are saying they can do what they like, but we can’t.”
Mr Hearne said the use of corrugated iron on the building’s roof would create an ‘eyesore’ in the heart of Warburton.
“The corrugated iron is very reflective. It will reflect bright sunlight up into the hills surrounding the township and create glare for people travelling through town,” he said.
Mr Hearne said the refurbishment of the building should have included the use of non-reflective roofing materials such as Colorbond.
However, the Shire of Yarra Ranges community relations manager, James Martin, defended the use of reflective building materials on the Mechanics Institute.
“The roofing material for the building is galvanised corrugated iron, which is exactly the same as the original material – as you would expect when you are refurbishing a heritage building,” he said.
He said it was common knowledge that the reflective quality of galvanised corrugated iron dulls over time.
Mr Martin also dismissed claims that the shire had a double standard when it came to allowing use of reflective building materials.
He said the shire prohibits the use of highly reflective building materials in areas where there are significant sight lines or environmental values.
“The shire promotes the use of materials that blend into the environment rather than dominating the environment,” he said.
“This especially applies to more rural locations where you might have prominent ridge line or valley views.”
Warburton resident Ron Howard, one of the main community campaigners behind the restoration of the Mechanics Institute, said the shire was right to use galvanised corrugated iron on the project.
“According to the heritage of the building, they should be using corrugated iron. To use anything else doesn’t make sense,” he said.
Mr Howard also dismissed concerns about the galvanised iron creating an eyesore.
“The roof is up so high it won’t worry anyone. Once the material settles down, there won’t be much of a glare,” he said.