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OFFENDERS in Kyneton could find
themselves locked up in a
portable police cell if they
misbehave from July.
Kyneton police are preparing
to relocate to temporary
premises in Beauchamp St while
the present Jennings St station
undergoes an $11 million
redevelopment.
Kyneton Sen-Sgt Ian Brooks
said the temporary premises,
formerly a business facility
used by Telstra, would feature a
portable cell used at events
like the Melbourne Grand Prix.
The portable cell, to sit next
to the building, will be used to
hold prisoners prior to transfer
to Bendigo or Melbourne.
“The relocatable cells are a
self-contained cell unit
comprising a cell and associated
facilities to care for and
monitor persons in custody,” he
said.
“It is portable and conveyed
to us on a truck and is similar
in size to a large container but
certainly more
offender-friendly.”
About four blocks from the
police station, the Beauchamp St
premises are likely to be used
for up to 18 months while the
station is redeveloped.
Tenders to build the new
station and refit Beauchamp St
closed last Wednesday, with the
winning tenderer to be announced
soon.
Sen-Sgt Brooks said his
officers were looking forward to
moving to the new station next
year.
“It will be the policing
headquarters of the district and
will be a better and larger
station and will give more
privacy for those who have
reported or been victims of
crime,” he said.
The district inspector,
traffic management unit, sexual
offence and child abuse unit,
and CIU will all move to Kyneton
from Gisborne when the new
station is complete.
Macedon Ranges Leader.
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Ned Kelly lock-up safe
in police complex plans
The Kyneton courthouse, built in 1851, will be restored.
Jason Dowling
January 2, 2009 The Age
A NEW police complex to be built at the site of
Kyneton's historic courthouse and lock-up —
which once held Ned Kelly — has been given the
go-ahead by Heritage Victoria. Locals had been
concerned the development could affect the
site's historical integrity.
But Heritage Victoria executive director Ray
Tonkin said a modern police station could be
built while retaining heritage values.
He said the 1851 courthouse, Victoria's
second oldest, would not be harmed by the
development.
Mr Tonkin said the significant buildings
would be retained and restored, including the
1861 lock-up and 1880s red-brick police station.
"This permit requires Victoria Police to
restore the external fabric of the lock-up and
1880s police station, and undertake ongoing
maintenance to protect these heritage
buildings," Mr Tonkin said.
"Importantly, the lock-up will be visible
from Jennings Street for the first time in more
than 50 years. The 1950s brick buildings hiding
the lock-up from street view are not considered
significant and will be demolished," he said.
He said the new two-storey police station
would be set back from the street and would not
detract from the heritage significance of the
site.
Heritage Victoria has also announced that it
has added Kyneton's 1862 Willis Flour Mill and
1858 Botanic Gardens to the heritage register.
New Macedon Ranges Mayor John Letchford
welcomed the approval for the new police
station.
"It is going to be a great facility for
Kyneton and the surrounding policing district,"
he said.
The new complex would meet police needs while
also preserving the site's historical
significance, he said.
Larina Strauch, collection manager with the
Kyneton Historical Society, said the court and
jail site were important for the history of Ned
Kelly and Kyneton. "As a 15-year-old, he (Kelly)
was held at the Kyneton police station for three
weeks," Ms Strauch said.
She said Ned Kelly was held because he had
been associating with a known bushranger.
Ms Strauch said it was important to maintain
the historical integrity of the courthouse and
jail site.
"It is important because Kyneton was
instrumental in laying down the foundations for
establishing law and order in Victoria.
"It is also significant to the heritage
landscape of Kyneton."
Police spokeswoman Marika Fengler, said the
Kyneton Historical Society would have a display
in the cells and police would ensure public
access to the old cells.
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Kyneton police station plans under fire
Thu Sep 4, 2008
11:29am AEST
Plans to expand an historic central
Victorian police station are being described as totally
inappropriate.
The heritage listed Kyneton police station was built in
1861 and once held Ned Kelly.
The Victorian Government project needs a permit from
Heritage Victoria, but the Macedon Ranges Shire Council will
not support the proposal in its current form.
Mayor Noel Harvey says the plans have changed
significantly since they were put to the community in March.
"The old elm trees have been removed, and the building
itself encroaches even further on the lock-up than was
originally planned," he said.
"So they've totally ignored the concerns that were raised
in relation to heritage, and particularly in relation to the
connection between the lock-up and the courthouse."
Heritage Victoria expects to rule on the plans this
month.
ABC
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MACEDON Ranges Mayor Noel Harvey
says revised plans for Kyneton’s
new police station do little to
protect the heritage value of
the old station.
The heritage-listed Kyneton
police station was built in 1861
and once held Ned Kelly.
The State Government project
needs a permit from Heritage
Victoria to build the new
station.
Urban planners Davis Langdon
have changed the original plans
after objections were lodged by
Macedon Ranges Council and local
heritage groups in August.
Alterations include a lowered
roof revealing the brickwork of
the old police station, grey
cladding to blend in with
bluestone buildings and better
visibility of the historic
lock-up through a steel-picket
fence.
People were given the chance
to view the updated plans with
the architects.
But Cr Harvey remained
unimpressed.
He said the modern building,
only 1.5 metres from the
historic lock-up, would dominate
the old building.
“I think the architects have
wasted the last couple of months
because they have not consulted
anyone with concerns over
heritage in that time,” he said.
Macedon Ranges Insp Mario
Fiorentino said he was happy
with the changes.
“I think the second design is
more aligned with the heritage
concerns while it will remain a
functional and secure
workplace,” he said.
Kyneton Heritage Society
president Larina Strauch said
she was relieved the bluestone
lock-up would remain visible.
“I think the design is more
sympathetic but it’s still not
ideal,” she said.
Mrs Strauch said the society
wanted to make the lock-up
accessible to the public for
tours.
Heritage Victoria spokeswoman
Angie Phelan said a decision on
the redevelopment was due by the
end of this month.
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Macedon Ranges Leader.
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