After years of false starts, new plans have emerged to restore the Old Kyneton Hospital building to its former glory following the site’s sale last month to aged-care provider Embracia Victoria.
Plans by previous owner Winport Developments to develop the 1850s bluestone building into apartments and build 64 houses on the surrounding five acres were abandoned earlier this year and the property returned to the real estate market.
Embracia Victoria now hopes to use the area surrounding the hospital to create much-needed residential aged care and childcare places for local families, and has vowed to engage heritage architects, cultural heritage consultants and other experts to oversee a faithful restoration of the heritage-listed building.
Embracia Victoria managing director Sarah MacKenzie said Kyneton had been identified by the federal government as a priority region for aged care and needed additional facilities to be built in the area.
“There is also a need for quality local childcare, as a new generation of young families moves to Kyneton,” Ms MacKenzie said.
Ms MacKenzie said the organisation was committed to a painstaking restoration of the 156-year-old building.
“Embracia Victoria is considering the potential of what the building and the grounds can provide, and will seek community consultation,” she said.
“We are excited to bring new life to this historic Kyneton landmark.”
Kyneton Historical Society secretary Larina Strauch met with Embracia general manager Damien Lippiatt last week and was able to provide him with photographs and insights into the history of the building.
“They fully realise that there’s going to have to be a lot of work done on the bluestone,” Ms Strauch told the Express.
“They still haven’t got concrete plans for the bluestone building but they are thinking along the lines of a function room and offices.
“The Edwardian fever ward out the back is potentially going to be a cafe/coffee shop, while the 120-bed aged care facility is likely to be west of the old building on the flat and will be in clusters of 20 with individual gardens around each.”
Ms Strauch noted Embracia planned a large amount of green space east of the old hospital, along Wedge Street, while the childcare facility would likely be located north of the bluestone.
“They have started to do minor repair works and are installing security lighting and security cameras to prevent further vandalism at the site,” she said.
Ms MacKenzie said Embracia was particularly excited about the prospect of co-locating aged care and childcare places.
“There is growing evidence that bringing the elderly and children together as part of structured engagement programs can have huge benefits for both groups,” she said.
The planned 120-bed aged-care facilities will have specific places for veterans, people from rural and remote areas, dementia care and respite.
The staged project is expected to open within the next two years.
