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3 November – 16 November 2011
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Move on lodge revamp
By Mike Hast TENDERS for the restoration of historic Norman Lodge in Mt Eliza (above) close later this month. Norman Lodge estate owner Charles Jacobsen – who bought the property from the Myer family for more than $10 million in 2004 – hopes the winning builder of five contenders will be appointed before Christmas by his architects. Melbourne-based architects and heritage consultants Lovell Chen is running the show for Mr Jacobsen. The firm is well regarded for its heritage work including the Royal Exhibition Building and Ballarat Town Hall restoration. But there is one more bridge to cross before the long-delayed projects starts – Mr Jacobsen and Mornington Peninsula Shire have to agree on the cost of revegetation of two reserves on Sunnyside Beach North. As part of the deal allowing Mr Jacobsen to build two modern homes for his
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Five vie for multi-million dollar historic mansion children on the estate, he gave two foreshore reserves to the shire. As reported in The News last month, the shire and Mr Jacobsen were in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal arguing about the cost of revegetation of the reserves. The shire wanted him to pay the full cost of $442,420 over 10 years. The VCAT sent the parties back to the negotiating table, but if they cannot agree it will be back to the tribunal next January. On Wednesday, Mr Jacobsen told The News “the final cost of the vegetation management plan is being negotiated�.
“I’m extremely confident the matter will be finalised by the deadline on Friday,� he said. Agreement would see the shire issue the longsought 173 agreement, a legal contract related to the planning permit that will allow Mr Jacobsen to build the two houses and start work on restoring the 1863 Gothic Revival mansion and five smaller, historic buildings. The shire issuing the 173 agreement would give him confidence to go ahead and let the tender, he said. Mr Jacobsen said restoration of Norman Lodge should have been completed by now. “It has taken
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six and a half years to get through all the paperwork.� Mr Jacobsen said he lodged a $1 million bond with the shire 18 months ago. The outside of the building would be restored to its 1860s splendour, he said. The only modern element would be a glass link between the main house and the chapel. He said all buildings that had been “tacked on� over the years except a 1920s bathroom wing had been removed. “The main house has been made liveable with modern lighting and plumbing.� After the restoration, he would turn his attention to restoring the gardens, which had been redesigned by John Patrick. Asked if he would spare no expense in restoring Norman Lodge, Mr Jacobsen said he was a builder of long repute and set a high standard. “You wouldn’t want to know how many zeros� are on the cost of restoration.
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