The Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society is calling for the future owners of the town’s Border Inn to ensure the building’s history is preserved.
The historic hotel will be auctioned on Friday, October 18, at noon.
Historical society member Pat Burchat said she and several other members were concerned about the Border Inn’s future.
“We are worried for its future, that the council will be more inclined to think of the monetary benefits, rather than the historical benefits or that they allow the building to be replaced,” she said.
“The problem is that the town has already lost some significant sites to demolition in the past 40 years, which has already impacted the town, making it more of a suburban feel rather than an historic town.
“We would like to see the hotel preserved to its former glory with the historical charm and old English style it once held. It will take the new owners time and money to achieve this, so we are hoping the purchase is by the right people. It would be good to see the public at the auction and if there are any concerns they could be there.”
Mrs Burchat said the two-storey building was built in 1850 by John Pilmer.
It was through the first lessee, James Watt, the Cobb & Co Coach service was established, the first such service in Victoria, which ran from Melbourne, through Bacchus Marsh to Ballarat.
Mrs Burchat said the hotel is a pioneering pre-gold rush building and also hosted the first meeting of the Bacchus Marsh Road Board in 1856 and the inauguration of the Ivy Lodge of Tree Gardeners in 1851.
“The significance of the building is such that it is on the Victorian Heritage Database and has an heritage overlay. Given this protection it is hoped that the building will retain its historical perspective,” she said.
“Over its 174-year history there have been changes of owners and additions made. It is believed the 1850 section still survives. We are hoping the public will show their support of this significant building.”
First National Rayner Real Estate director Marcus Rayner said the hotel’s heritage would be respected in the sale process.
“We’re obviously drawing people’s attention to the fact that it is an historically-listed building and there are limits to what you can do with it,” he said.
“The vast majority of the inquiry that we have and in fact everybody that I know that’s inquired about it isn’t looking at it for anything more than to open it up as to what it already was. So, I don’t have much fear and the current owner has been good about this, like he’s also not trying to fleece anybody here.”
Mr Rayner said they’re looking for someone with pub experience to reopen the hotel, which will benefit the community.
“We only have four pubs in Bacchus Marsh, so this one being closed means we’re down to three. So, there’s been strong interest and we’re hoping to sell for around $2.5 million.
“We don’t have an adult or an upmarket wine bar type situation. There’s more of a restaurant type pub and the town desperately needs just somewhere to go and drink. The town also needs some reasonable accommodation to be able to put more skilled workers or people that come in under contract for a short-term stay. With the housing crisis and the lack of rentals, there’s just nothing at the moment. This pub is big and is good for accommodation, so we need it for transient workers that come to town.”
