By Callum Ludwig
A revived future finally looks to be on the horizon for the old Sanitarium factory in Warburton.
The local knowledge of the Warburton Advancement League has been bolstered by the financial backing of owners, the Garry Crockett Group, to prepare the building for a new lease on life.
Vice President of the Warburton Advancement League David Pratt has led the charge in a voluntary Project Coordinator role, communicating regularly with Garry Crockett, and said there are a great many hurdles that they had to and still have to be overcome.
“As an example, the existing power to the site transformer had failed at Christmas, but to develop something of this size needs approval for 1000kVA transformer to be able to operate the site,” he said.
“But we’ve had very successful discussions with Ausnet and they have now provided approval, in principle, to deliver to the site.”
The Warburton Advancement League are working with Yarra Ranges Council to try and access a federal government grant to fund a voltage regulator which would be required somewhere between Woori Yallock and Warburton, which would benefit the electricity grid in the Upper Yarra from Woori Yallock to as far as Reefton.
Mr Pratt said they are also working proactively with the Upper Yarra River Reserve Committee.
“We want to work with them to assist us in developing a landscape management and implementation plan so that there is a seamless flow between the developed Edgewater site and the river,” he said.
“The community will be able to continue to walk along and be able to enjoy the beauty that is that section of the Yarra River and will look at managing the weeds, managing the ecology without devastating the vegetation.”
Ecologists, fauna experts, arborists and arboricultural consultants will also be engaged to create the landscape management plan.
The initial $50 million proposal for the Edgewater Spa and Resort with a wine and food centre, was never able to proceed due to a number of regulations, lapsed permits and the Global Financial Crisis.
Mr Pratt said once the initial elements are ticked off, they are confident a new planning permit application will have every chance of success.
“The community want to see that building brought back to life, providing much greater midweek tourism and jobs for locals, Garry (Crockett) is even considering setting up a partnership with a TAFE organisation for catering jobs and even all the contractors that have worked on restoring the building so far were local,” he said.
“The greatest advantage is Garry is engaging with the community by establishing a community reference group made up of Warburton Valley CEDA, the Warburton Advancement League and the Upper Yarra Community Enterprise.”
In August 2022 after discussions with Garry Crockett, Yarra Ranges Council, the Warburton Advancement League and local contractors conducted make safe works at the site, securing the building, removing debris, knocking out all the glass, fixing and repairing damage from several water leaks, restoring power, installing floodlights and gardening.
Mr Pratt said restoring the building while maintaining its historical significance is critical to the community’s heart.
“It is significant in the preservation of Warburton’s history, this building does hold a special place to so many hundreds of residents who have either worked or had family work in the factory,” he said.
“The approvals do take a bit of time but once they’re in place, then it’s full steam ahead and we will see a lot more on the ground changes, which will be good, and we hope to keep the community informed at every step.”
The Crockett group acquired the building in 1997 following the factory’s closure, having made Weet Bix at the factory from 1925 up until its closure.
Garry Crockett said without Mr Pratt’s help, they would not have continued with the project.
“Almost single-handedly, David has been keeping our Warburton vision alive by voluntarily coordinating and organising relevant Warburton contractors and community groups,” he said.
“He has devoted an enormous amount of time out of his already busy life, to personally address a multitude of issues that required timely resolution to keep the project alive. David has the best interests of Warburton at heart and has gone above and beyond in doing everything he can to assist us.”
