Tuesday 26 March 2024 - Cr Geoff Lovett, Maryborough Advertiser

Published on 26 March 2024

Council is currently finalising the new Maryborough Heritage Study. This is long overdue and will see a significant improvement on the existing overlays.

Input has been sought through public meetings, along with a panel of advisors. The highly detailed, the new Heritage Plan will be more focussed and strategic, giving greater protection to what is both historically and socially important to Maryborough, whilst freeing up significant areas for development.

Protection is important but there must be a balance. Over the years we have lost many structures that played an important role in the development of the Maryborough: Phelans factory (to fire), Maryborough Knitting Mills (to retail development), Baby Health Centre (to hospital development), even the decision to replace our cast-iron lacework verandahs with cantilever ones.

Just recently, Whittles tank making shed was demolished. Having stood for 100 years, this humble building was a reminder of times past when reticulated water wasn’t the norm and homes needed tanks to store the precious fluid.

The removal of this shed highlighted for me that no matter how unimportant something appears to be, it is important it be recorded for posterity because once something has gone, it’s gone forever.

What I would like to see is that before something is removed it be comprehensively photographed. In today’s world everyone has a mobile phone so recording is simple.

These photos could then be given to the Midlands Historical Society who will gladly add them to their already extensive and important collection.

Cr Geoff Lovett

Maryborough Ward