Safety first in demise of building
WE AT last have some resolution as to what will become of our fenced off CBD block building of Belcher’s Corner with news that the handsome 1920s building will need to be torn down.
“We recognise that the demolition of a significant building in central Geelong is a great shame and a loss to the urban history and landscape of the city,” council CEO Martin Cutter said.
“But the welfare of our community comes first.”
While it is a sad loss of part of our architectural history, due consideration needs to be given to public safety.
Authorities must be true to their word and ensure that the building is stabilised, and that it does not pose a risk to the public by collapsing outside of controlled conditions.
Given much of the issue is subterranean, the swift demolition need also to be sufficiently professional so as not to risk the integrity of surrounding structures on Moorabool and Ryrie streets.
It’s fair that the owners shoulder the costs of the demolition that experts have now deemed necessary.
But it is also important that businesses affected (including but not limited to excellent takeaway establishment Burger Johnny) be given every chance to foster in new locations in our city.
The trickiest part of this whole process will likely come after the demolition.
We can hope that the owners, who have already poured a million dollars into repair work, have sufficient desire to apply their resources to rebuild on the site.
A structure would be needed that is both new and respectful of the architecture surrounding it.
An empty site in the middle of our CBD would look like an ugly gap tooth.
Moorabool St should be a thriving thoroughfare of our inner city.
It already has enough issues without an empty formerdemolition site being left to linger.