Jennifer Pittorino
Star Weekly is looking back at the best stories of last year and this is one of them.
A heritage-listed building in Maribyrnong is under threat of becoming a private function centre, unless Maribyrnong council rejects plans to develop the site.
Local resident Pauline Cady has created a petition asking the council to ‘Save Jack’s Magazine’. Ms Cady fell in love with the area while walking her dogs and fears the development could lock away one of the very few community green spaces in the west.
Jack’s Magazine is located on the banks of the Maribyrnong River, situated adjacent to blocks of residential homes. It remains a popular spot for walking and enjoying nature.
The original building dates back to 1878 and was used to store gunpowder and explosives. The 12 hectare site is currently used for monthly guided tours and hired out to creative groups.
An applicant has proposed turning the site into a space for private weddings and functions which would operate seven days a week.
The petition, which has 86 signatures, asks the council to preserve the historic site for the whole community.
“When I learned about the proposal to turn Jack’s Magazine into a space for weddings and corporate events being operated seven days a week, I was quite appalled ” Ms Cady said.
“There are residents who just want to park our car in the car park because we want to go for a walk and get a little bit of peace and quiet, we will lose all of that.
“You can have a wedding anywhere, there are buildings galore, but there are not many places where we can experience just being that little bit closer to nature.”
Ms Cady is worried that the noise disturbance for local residents has been overlooked.
“The proposed plan seeks to sell liquor to 200 customers, all in a natural amphitheatre which amplifies sound,” she said.
“There is also no parking at Jack’s Magazine, and no dedicated parking is proposed,
“Instead customers would take a private mini-bus from Pipemakers Park public car park, and the drop off point would be metres from local residents’ doors.”
Ms Cady hopes there is enough time for the community to give feedback.
“We’re at the tail end of the process, where there is potentially very little that we can actually do about this.
“The citizens are cranky about how little consultation there has been, but there is still time.”
Maribyrnong council chief executive Celia Haddock said the planning application was advertised on council’s website and on a noticeboard on site inviting the community to make submissions in support or opposition.
“This was opened in August 2023,“ she said. “There were 72 objections and five letters of support received.
“The planning application for Jack’s Magazine will be considered by council in early 2024.
“According to our gvernance rules, petitions must be tabled within seven days of a council meeting, compliant petitions are then considered by council.”
