Two years ago, The Geelong Museum Association Inc. developed a concept for a major central tourist attraction, which combines Geelongs history and heritage with modern technology.

The site is Osborne House and environs which was a debt free gift to the people of Geelong from the Shire of Corio upon amalgamation of municipal councils. The underlying principal is that this property should remain in community ownership. This is Geelongs opportunity to establish a regional museum, which not only reveals the history of the city but tells the story of Osborne House and its links to pastoral heritage, social change and the naval and military history of Australia and Geelong.

The existing topography and the location on the edge of Corio Bay, the size and condition of the historic buildings, the infrastructure already in place, the magnificent heritage stables, the enormity of the site, the proximity to Melbourne Road and public transport and the ability to link with SteamPacket Place via the Bay, make this an opportunity that once lost to private development, will never again be possible.

The GMA proposal has been presented to State and Federal MPs, former and current councilors and mayors, CGG officers for integrated planning, the assets manager, and general manager, Tourism Victoria, Geelong Otway and City by the Bay Tourism heads, the Victorian Premier, Deakin University Architecture Department (Dean and students), and the general public, through a feature article in the Geelong Advertiser Weekend Magazine.

Former Mayor Gerry Smith established the adhoc Osborne House Committee and GMA representatives were invited to join. This committee met regularly and comprised members of the Geelong Maritime Museum, The Navy League, Norlane Reserve Cadets, Norlane RSL, Geelong Memorial Brass Band, and 43rd District Board RSL.

On the 9/2/98 a Public Meeting was held at Osborne House, at which approx. 300 people were in attendance. The impetus was Councils decision to discuss plans for a foreshore townhouse development with a Melbourne based consortium called "Powerhouse" who had taken a 99 year lease on the old power station adjoining Osborne House and who intended to turn this historic property into a motel and conference centre. The plan did not proceed.

On May 6th 1998 the GMA Osborne House Proposal was presented to the current Council whose response was wholly concerned with how the project would be funded, considering the City would not contribute financially.

In October 1998, the GMA applied for a grant form the Federation 2000 Fund but was unsuccessful due to the lack of Council backing. The same response is anticipated from any group or organization until such time as the CGG Council gives its support by allowing the community to take control of Osborne House. The only funds ever requested from Council by the GMA was a sufficient amount to conduct a business plan/feasibility study to ensure that the concept was viable.

WHAT IS THE PROPOSAL? - The story of Geelongs development has largely evolved around Corio Bay and the waterfront. The proposal is a staged development which unfolds within a time frame. It is expansive and visionary and aims to stimulate interaction between community groups, to allow smaller organizations to participate in a much larger arena.

A heritage theme has a number of advantages. It provides a unique tourism opportunity. It raises Geelongs profile to the local, national and international tourist market. It exploits an unrealized asset, provides an icon for Geelong, generates employment at numerous and various skill levels, and invigorates community spirit. It also becomes an educational tool and provides active/interactive entertainment. Furthermore, it encourages interaction with existing museums and galleries in the region.

If the current Heads of Agreement proposal between Council and Desa Constructions becomes reality, the council will sell the land surrounding Osborne Hose for $1.4m. and provide the funds for the decontamination of the adjoining council depot site. The council will gain 34 new rate-able properties. The Stables will be converted to studio apartments which ultimately implies heritage desecration. The East Wing and the Branscomb Room will be demolished for car parking. Access to all facilities will be via Swinburn St. The $150,000 current annual expenditure on Osborne House for security and maintenance will remain. A purpose for Osborne House has still not been resolved.

To be viable, what ever is planned for Osborne House will require a critical mass but with the site more than halved, the potential for a critical mass is severely diminished, implying a continual drain on the public purse for operating costs.

The GMA proposal may not be the ultimate answer.

Based however, on the success of Sovereign Hill, Ballarat, and the Central Deborah Mine at Bendigo, both of which have the support of pro-active councils, it is difficult to see why the only answer Geelong City Council can ever come up with, is that which requires selling this community asset to private developers. There has to be a better way.

What the GMA wants more than anything else is to retain the entire site as a community asset.

If this can be achieved while ensuring the history and heritage of Geelongs early settlers, retaining the Naval and Maritime Museum on its historic site and creating an icon for Geelong that will encourage visitors to stay a while, then surely a pro-active council could look at what avenues could be explored with regard to financing a project of the magnitude suggested. If the CGG Council is currently spending $2m. on consultant fees, how many experts have they consulted with regard to Osborne House? What funding options have been investigated that do not impinge on Council revenue? Why do they not consult with the community to whom this asset was donated?

A powerful site and significant building such as Osborne House should remain in public ownership. The site is most valuable to the community if it remains in tact. Our objectives begin here.