NEWS FLASH
14th March

“Council moves to provide certainty for the restoration of the courthouse”.

In a historic meeting last night 13th March 07 at Boroondara Council voted overwhelmingly to complete the purchase of the Kew Court House. The partnership continues between the Kew Court House Restoration Appeal and the Council to see this project through. The project now has the overwhelming support of Council.

“It is no longer about “if” it is about “when” the doors will re open” said Prof Peter McIntyre.

With the property secured the fundraising can now be completed without the encumbrances and we know the restoration will be undertaken as the funds become available from the appeal.

Work can commence as soon as significant fund raising is achieved.

“The community, philanthropists and corporations can now enter this project with certainty.

At the Council meeting on 5th March, following many hours of debate a motion was passed by 5 to 4 vote to purchase the Kew Court House
and Police Station outright.

As of 7th March Cr Dick Menting lodged a rescission notice.

This means that there was another Council meeting at 6pm, Tuesday 13th March at Council Chambers.

MEDIA RELEASE - Kew, 3rd December 2006

                    APPEAL LAUNCHED TO SAVE A NATIONAL TREASURE

On the morning of Saturday 18th. November 2006 the people of Kew were aroused by the triumphant sound of the Boroondara Brass which had assembled outside the former Kew Police Station.

After four long years of neglect, the precinct was being heralded back to life, and what a heartwarming sound it was for all those early shoppers who gathered to hear Cr. Phillip Healey introduce Patrons and supporters of the Save the Court House campaign.
Following the speeches, the "Thermometer" was unveiled and the Appeal was formally under way.

The various committees have worked very hard during these past weeks. The Kew Court House Arts Association Inc. has been formed under the leadership of Graeme McCoubrie. This organization brings all the amateur theatre groups in the City of Boroondara together with a view to providing them with a permanent performing space within the former Court House.

As well as intimate theatre, there will be provision for the staging of instrumental and choral performances before an audience of 40 to 50 people. The Police Station will compliment the function of the Court House by providing a venue for artist groups to exhibit their work, for the Historical Societies of Boroondara to meet, and for study groups to meet, for activities such as play and poetry readings.

It will be a Hub for the Arts in Kew.

Of course none of this can happen unless the money to pay for restoration of the buildings is raised, and we only have until March 2007 in which to do this.

The City of Boroondara, Kew Historical Society and the East Kew Community Bank are working together as a team to make this dream a reality, but WE NEED YOUR HELP.
This is a fantastic one-off opportunity, and it must not be wasted.

Donations to the Appeal can be made through the Kew East Kew Community Bank or any branch of the Bendigo Bank, or through the Kew Historical Society Inc., P.O. Box 175 Kew Vic 3101. All donations over $2 are tax deductible through the Community Enterprise Foundation.

                                                                                                 End Media Release

Kew Courthouse future looks bright

www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/council/media_rel/releases/august/courthouse_bright

The State Government has accepted an offer from the local government of Boroondara to purchase the former Kew Courthouse and Police Station, Minister for Finance John Lenders said today.

In a joint statement with the Mayor of Boroondara, Councillor Jack Wegman, Mr Lenders said he was pleased that agreement had been reached and the contract of sale document finalised.

“I welcome the Council making this step towards purchasing this property after recent negotiations,” Mr Lenders said.

“The settlement date for the purchase of the property is March 2007. The State government sold the property to Council at a reduced cost of $825,000 for community use. The full value of the buildings on the commercial marketplace was estimated to be about $2million,” he said.

Cr Wegman said the Contract of Sale provides that if the funds cannot be raised to restore the property for use as community buildings then they will be returned to the State government.

In relation to this additional funding to restore and modernise the buildings, Council and the community will work together over the next eight months, with the encouragement of the State government, Cr Wegman said.

Mr Lenders said both he and the Premier had advised the Council of fundraising opportunities to help the Council convert the property for its future use.

Cr Wegman noted that applications for funding from the Community Support Fund and for State government heritage grants were being processed.

“Council has agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kew Historical Society outlining arrangements for the Kew Court House Restoration Appeal and Council is delighted with the level of support shown by the community and is confident of a bright future for these historic buildings.”

Mr Lenders said the Bracks Government is committed to securing the best outcome when buildings that have once served the community outlive their original purpose.

“There is a responsibility for Governments to practice good financial management and achieve the best possible price when an asset is longer used by the State,” he said.

“There is also a responsibility to consider the local community. The Government and City of Boroondara have worked hard to achieve a balance between these two interests.”

The building ceased to operate as a courthouse in 1971 and as a police station in 2002. Part of the building was also used as a post office and this section of the building was sold by the Commonwealth in 1992 to a private owner and is currently run as a licensed restaurant.

It is listed on the State's Heritage Register as a place of historical and architectural significance and is protected by the Victorian Heritage Act.