Works to repair Maryborough's historic Worsley Cottage in Palmerston Street will commence 23 January 2023.
Following a public tender process, the project will be delivered by BLR Provincial Constructions Pty Ltd and is expected to be completed in May.
The $319,143 project is jointly funded by Council - $200,000 and the Federal Government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program - $119,143.
The project includes:
- Underpinning and straightening of the two existing side walls
- Rising damp works
- Stormwater drainage works
Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Grace La Vella said it was wonderful to see these much-needed works get underway.
"Worsley Cottage is a much-loved community asset and a popular tourism attraction for visitors to our region.
"The Maryborough Midlands Historical Society do such a wonderful job sharing our history to visitors to our Shire and so it will be wonderful to see this asset upgraded so that the committee can continue to prosper in the future.
"We thank them for their patience during the works and we look forward to seeing the works completed and the Cottage re-opened in the first half of the year."
Maryborough Midlands Historical Society President Barb Nielsen said the Cottage is the centre of the Museum Complex.
"The cottage has been the headquarters of the Maryborough Midlands Historical Society since 1976. The oldest section, the two front rooms, were hand-built in locally-quarried stone in 1894 by Arthur Worsley a stonemason, who was one of the contractors who built the town's Main Drain."
"The stone was quarried locally, near the Avoca Road. The next two rooms were added in the early years of the 20th Century.
"Because the site (including all buildings) will be closed to the public, Maryborough Midlands Historical Society will suspend operations for the duration of the project. Although research facilities will not be available the Society can be contacted via email, its website or Facebook. The telephone message service will not operate.
"The last chance for researchers to visit personally before the closure will be from January 10 to 20. As usual, our hours will be Tuesday and Thursday - 10am to 12 noon and Sunday – 2 to 4pm.
"We look forward to re-opening our upgraded facility to visitors and the community in May."
During the closure Maryborough Midlands Historical Society can be contacted via:
