THE heritage-listed Norman Lodge gatehouse on Nepean Highway, Mount Eliza, has completed being dismantled with the owners expected to lodge a “dismantling report” to Heritage Victoria by this Friday (14 November).
The protected gatehouse has been the subject of planning applications in 2013 and 2020 that would have seen the structure deconstructed and moved just metres away to be reconstructed on a concrete slab footing. The future of the building fell into doubt in April 2024 when it was badly damaged after a large eucalyptus tree fell onto it.
Subsequent to that incident, the shire issued a demolition order after a structural engineer’s report identified the building had suffered “total loss of structural integrity” (Demolition order issued for historic gatehouse, The Times 20/8/24).
In June 2024 Heritage Victoria, the responsible authority, issued a notice to show cause under the Heritage Act 2017 to the owners of the Norman Lodge gatehouse requiring a range of works and activities to be undertaken following damage caused by the fallen tree.
On 16 August 2024, a further show cause notice was issued by Heritage Victoria as a precursor to a potential repair order requiring the dismantling and reconstruction of the gatehouse.
In response to the August show cause notice, the owner of Norman Lodge engaged heritage conservation and architectural firm, Lovell Chen. That firm was tasked with closely monitoring and recording the dismantling of the gatehouse.
A statement from Heritage Victoria supplied to The Times said “the building is being dismantled in accordance with a methodology approved by Heritage Victoria and includes a detailed photographic survey and measured drawings to allow for reconstruction”.
“Salvaged materials including bricks, timber, windows, doors, ceiling roses and other decorative elements are being stored on-site.
“Non-original terracotta roof tiles, general building rubble including plaster and severely degraded timber, are being placed in skips.
“The roof will be replaced with slate tiles as per its original construction.”
The show cause notice required that within ten days of completion, the owners must provide a dismantling record including an assessment by Lovell Chen on the condition of the salvaged heritage fabric and confirmation of the storage location.
Heritage Victoria have told The Times that this report is expected to be supplied by this Friday.
A spokesperson from Heritage Victoria said “Heritage Victoria is working closely with the owners, the local council, and relevant stakeholders to ensure the gatehouse is reconstructed and its heritage values are preserved”.
First published in the Frankston Times – 11 November 2025
