Hall gets nod

By Kath Gannaway
PLANNING approval for the redevelopment of Healesville Memorial Hall will be sought following the presentation of design plans for the project in Healesville last week.
Yarra Ranges cultural, heritage and arts department and architect Greg Burgess presented their vision for the $6.8 million redevelopment to representatives of user groups, Yarra Valley Arts Council, Healesville RSL, Healesville Historicial Society, and other interested community members.
There was broad support for the design when Mr Burgess first presented it to a community workshop in November, but with some areas, including the future of the internal staircase, identified as requiring further investigation.
The design presented on Wednesday night provided an expanded and more detailed view of the works which will include a new entrance on the eastern side of the building, a new foyer space, raked seating, a floor-level stage, orchestra pit, exhibition space, a rear loading dock, a lift to service all three levels, and upgraded technical equipment.
While there was broad support for the retention of the existing internal staircase at the November meeting, they will be removed under the new design, replaced with a new staircase.
Mr Burgess and the shire’s project manager, Chris Clerici, said every effort had been made to retain the staircase, but that the negative impacts, including safety issues and the fact that it would compromise the installation of the lift, outweighed the arguments for its retention.
The rear segment of the building, which includes the current library, will be demolished and rebuilt. A section of the external east wall will be around 7.5 metres high of formed concrete.
Asking for a consensus on whether the design was ready to go to the next step – a planning application – arts, culture and heritage manager Greg Box received unqualified approval.
Nan Francis, a founder of the Yarra Valley Arts Council and supporter of the arts in Healesville said she was thrilled that after 12 years, the vision many people had shared for the hall was about to be realised.
“I think you have taken into consideration all of the things we talked about, a hall for music – acoustic and electronic – the pit, the heritage, an art gallery, everything we have talked about for so long but could not get going,” she said to Mr Burgess and his team.
“I congratulate you for a building which shows a very creative and thoughtful approach,” she said.