Progress on the Old Kyneton Primary School renovation

Works are progressing on the Old Kyneton Primary School renovation.

Restoration of the bell tower on the 1860s bluestone school building – including the timber windows and the metal roof – are now complete.

When inspecting the original footings of the building, it was discovered that some footings made from Northcote Brickworks bricks while others were made of bluestone.

The bricks will be cleaned and used in other areas of the project and the bluestone footings will remain and form part of the new flooring. Installation of new plumbing and electrical works in the building is also underway.

Installation of a new fire tank and repairs to the concrete slab in the Simpson Street carpark has occurred along with pouring new foundations, as we start to link the bluestone building to the main building.

Kyneton Primary School in Baynton Street, Kyneton was closed in March 2018. Later that year, the Victorian Government’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) undertook consultation with the community on what it valued about the site and how it could be redeveloped. The consultation found that the community wanted the site kept for community use, with a gallery space and areas for community groups.

In the 2020-21 Victorian Budget, $12 million was allocated to deliver a new gallery space within the 1800s heritage bluestone building on site and a range of safety and accessibility improvements.

Following an Expression of Interest process in 2021, the Victorian Government selected Working Heritage as future site operator.

In collaboration with Working Heritage and Creative Victoria, the creation of a vibrant gallery and community event space is now underway.

Find out more about the project.