Western Victoria Region
Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (13:01): (671) My question for the Minister for Planning concerns Fyansford Paper Mill, a beautiful site on the Barwon River overlooking Buckley Falls and one of Victoria’s few remaining heritage industrial precincts. It is now enjoyed by thousands of visitors annually. Highton Rotary Club volunteers run popular tours of the historic mill precincts, including the original paper production and World War II sea mine factory. They also hope to repair the millrace which once concentrated water from the Barwon into a smaller channel, in turn driving a waterwheel to power the mill. Now breached, the waterfall at the other end is dry. Minister, the volunteers who care for the site could raise the funds for the repair but have been unable to receive definitive permission for the works. They were encouraged by your recent letter stating the heritage-protected assets should be stabilised. So I ask: will you grant permission for a permanent repair?