Heritage assessment drives progress at Lakeview and Jingalong

Thursday 26 April, 2012

Parks Victoria recently met with the Lake View advisory group to consider the recommendations of the heritage assessment undertaken for the Lake View and Jingalong sites on the Eastern shore of Mallacoota Inlet.

The Lake View advisory group has extended its interest in support of the current project to remove a legacy of dilapidated asbestos buildings, contaminated soil and general rubbish from the adjoining Jingalong property.

“The Heritage Assessment was undertaken by consultants chosen for their established reputation in Mallacoota,” said Parks Victoria Chief Ranger Will McCutcheon. “They have identified that the Lake View site has local heritage significance and recommended how its significance should be retained, such as keeping the two chimneys, sheds and tank stand that will be familiar to those who have visited the site.

”The historians also recommended that paths, building slabs, fence lines and other parts of structures at the Jingalong site should be retained to help visitors understand the farming and tourism operations that were conducted on this remote site” he said.

The Heritage Assessment recommended that non-invasive trees and garden shrubs be retained at the farmhouse site and Lake View as markers of historical occupation. This includes remaining mature Monterey pines, Bunya Bunya pines, Norfolk Island pines and large deciduous trees.

“The future management of the pine trees that were mistakenly poisoned in 2010 was a point of discussion with the Advisory Group”, said Mr McCutcheon. “The Heritage Assessment recommended that the pine trees need to be felled, but to retain the trunks at a height of three to four metres to show how the 12 trees were planted in avenues. This recommendation is consistent with heritage protection principles applied statewide.

“I understand many Mallacoota residents were saddened by the unfortunate poisoning of the pine trees, but after seeking expert advice on the best way to depict their heritage significance for the future, Parks Victoria will be following the recommendations of the Heritage Assessment” said Mr McCutcheon.

“We were pleased that the meeting agreed that the hazards being addressed by the Jingalong decontamination project must be removed for the safety of all future visitors.

“Additionally, the recently completed reconstruction of the Brockwell Jetty is a great outcome that will facilitate greater visitor access to the area."