Mystery surrounds the future of the old Greenvale Hospital site, where the main building is being demolished.
MYSTERY surrounds the future of the former Greenvale Hospital as demolition of the Providence Rd 1950s building continues.
Local history buffs and residents are keeping a close watch on the Percy Everett-designed hospital building but so far there is no clue on what will replace it.
Neither Hume Council or the Department of Sustainability and the Environment have been able to provide the Leader with any infor mation about future development of the historic site, now fenced off and patrolled by guards.
The site owner, Greenvale Meadows Pty Ltd, could not be contacted by the Leader.
Originally the grounds of the first government tuberculosis sanatorium in Victoria, the 1950s hospital building was converted to a research institute for elderly people in 1956.
Phillip Coory (pictured) has been living in the area for 10 years and developed interest in the building while doing charity work there as a high school student in the late ’70s.
The boomerang shape of the Greenvale Hospital with its curved glass sunrooms made it unique and gave the interior a light and spacious feel, said Mr Coory, adding he was disappointed it would not be kept for some other purpose. “I would have thought it could have been put to some good community use,” he said.
“From a historical point of view Everett made a big contribution to Victorian architecture.”
One of Mr Everett’s more notable designs was the Russell Street Police Headquarters which was built in 1942-43.
A Heritage Victoria spokeswoman said only a small timber chalet on the hospital site dating back to early last century had been listed for protection.
Friends of Woodlands Historic Park spokeswoman Sue Wright said the group wanted the “timber chalet preserved at all costs”.
Council city infrastructure director Wal Lawson said demolition of the hospital was temporarily stopped because it was being done without a building permit, but that it had resumed since a permit was issued.
Picture: JULIE BEST NICHO812
Story: Paula Maud
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