The Point Lonsdale Lighthouse Reserve’s heritage listed P1 huts will undergo a full external restoration after works began last week.
At a Special Meeting of Council in September 2022, the Borough of Queenscliffe appointed Q Constructions to undertake the task to return the historically significant former defence cabins to their original condition.
The majority of the project is funded by a $400,000 grant from Regional Development Victoria through its Regional Infrastructure Fund – Rural Development – Infrastructure program to retain and restore all four huts, manufacture and install interpretive signage, and restore existing pathways and landscaping.
Queenscliffe Mayor Ross Ebbels emphasised the importance of the buildings in the Borough’s maritime and defence history.
“We heard from the community that they value the significance of the P1 huts, and we’re really pleased to get to work on restoring them and sharing some of that historical knowledge through interpretive signage,” Cr Ebbels said.
The works includes cladding external walls, replacing roof sheeting, and restoring windows, doors and base boards. All asbestos material currently lining the exterior of the huts will also be removed.
The P1 huts are well known in the Point Lonsdale community for being the holiday accommodation of social and benevolent organisation Toc H for more than half a century.
In December 2019, the huts (as well as all nearby buildings and objects) were officially included as part of an amendment to the reserve’s heritage listing, now known as the Point Lonsdale Maritime and Defence Precinct.
