Fears for Point Cook Homestead’s future

By Alesha Capone

THE historical Point Cook Homestead could fall into disrepair and be vandalised under a future proposal, according to Western Region MP Bernie Finn.

Mr Finn told parliament he believed the “much-loved landmark”, which was built in 1852, could “very quickly fall into disrepair and be vandalised” under a potential management plan.

Mr Finn said the homestead’s steward Emma Sutcliffe will leave on 30 June and Parks Victoria has run a public tender process for a new manager.

He said Ms Sutcliffe “has been supporting a particular bidder, but recently Parks Victoria told this bidder they had not been successful.”

“After five months and five stages of the process, the bidder was told they had not been successful and that their bid was unsatisfactory,” he said.

“However, they were also told that they could renegotiate with Parks Victoria. The trouble is they were not told what was wrong with their bid.”

Mr Finn said if negotiations fell through, he has been told Point Cook Coastal Park rangers could open the property as a walk-through attraction, closing the homestead’s café, or as a bed-and-breakfast.

“Should that happen, and with nobody on site at night, there is considerable concern the property would very quickly fall into disrepair and be vandalised,” he said.

He called on Minister for Environment Gavin Jennings to take a personal interest in the future of the homestead.

Ms Sutcliffe said she could not comment until Parks Victoria made a decision on the homestead.

The State Government did not respond before Star's deadline.