By Mikayla van Loon
The White Dog Hotel has been included as part of Yarra Ranges Council’s planning scheme amendment aiming to receive more protections for heritage buildings in Lilydale.
The heritage overlays of the much-loved hotel has been a contentious issue in Lilydale for many years, with key campaigners like Friends of the White Dog Hotel administrator Rob Hall working tirelessly to achieve a better outcome for the former pub and its usage.
Although no specific changes will be made to the heritage protections currently placed on the building, the council has sought to update the somewhat ‘outdated’ statement of significance.
These types of statements respond to the questions: ‘What is significant?; ‘How is it significant?’ and ‘Why is it significant?’
A physical analysis and suggestions for conservation measures can also be included in the report.
Yarra Ranges Council has confirmed some of the conservation measures it has suggested include the restoration of original elements of the building to their original condition in order to restore the late-Victorian era facade, as well as the replacement of original elements that have been damaged.
While no further details could be provided about the statement and its updated contents, the council said once the planning minister has approved the exhibition of the new planning scheme amendment, the documents will be exhibited for a month, open for community consultation and feedback.
Mr Hall said it was a bit disappointing the White Dog Hotel was not even mentioned during the council meeting on Tuesday 26 July.
“We don’t know what those changes are. I was kind of hoping for a bit more openness about what they had planned but maybe they didn’t want to let the cat out of the bag when it comes to the White Dog,” he said.
“Supposedly the White Dog will have increased protection due to the changes, whatever they are.
“[Councillor] Tim Heenan has been a great advocate when it comes to the heritage changes and he seems to be happy with whatever they have done.”
For Mr Hall, any changes to the protections or the statement he said have to be “better than the ‘protection’ it’s getting currently.”
