It is important that the proposed sale of the Old Castlemaine Gaol not proceed any further while effective community consultation is undertaken.

Council is proceeding on the basis that statutory public notice requirements were met to the letter of the law, yet no public information session was held or genuine feedback sought. Certainly no information regarding medium density, multi-story residential development outside the gaol walls was ever made public. Yet this is precisely what has been promoted to potential buyers.

Given a chance to examine the Shire's site strategy sample plans showing this level of development, a public meeting held in July in Castlemaine responded with deep concern.  Click here to see strategy plans.

The Mount Alexander Shire Council must halt the sale process and undertake serious and open public consultation before allowing an iconic Heritage building, a centrepiece of the town and the surrounding Goldfields Heritage area, to disappear behind townhouses forever.