Edward Millen $20m restoration plan resumes

A $20 million plan to restore the heritage-listed Edward Millen Reserve in Victoria Park is back on track after "lengthy negotiations" over the lease.

The Town of Victoria Park selected Blackoak Capital Ventures as its preferred proponent to redevelop the reserve at the corner of Hill View Terrace and Albany Highway in August 2021.

The town’s lease with Blackoak had been subject to public scrutiny because of the proposed 70-year term, and public updates on the project were scarce in the past two years.

However, a business plan between the town and Blackoak was recently advertised for public comment.

Blackoak is proposing to build a mixed hospitality venue comprising an artisan café, garden bistro, gastro pub, and nano brewery at the site.

Other features of the proposed restoration include a farmers market, an orchard, woodfire bakery, a childcare centre, function spaces, a museum and gallery space, and artists studios.

About 1.4 hectares of land, out of the 4.7ha precinct, is proposed to be leased to Blackoak capital for 20 years with five options for further terms of 10 years each.

The proposed restoration of Edward Millen precinct. Image: Benson Studio via Town of Victoria Park

Victoria Park councillors last month voted to resume progress for the project, which has been estimated to cost more than $20 million.

“Lengthy negotiations with Blackoak Capital have resulted in the current draft agreement for lease and lease documents that town officers recommend as suitable for publication and exploration via a business plan,” the June meeting minutes said.

The federal government funded $4 million towards the restoration of the Edward Millen precinct, through the Commonwealth community development grant.

The business plan said Blackoak would be investing more than $12 million into the redevelopment and fit out of the heritage buildings.

“After years of community consultation, the town is excited to secure a proposal that has a positive financial return for the community and a substantial investment in new facilities at no cost to the town,” the town said on its website.

Edward Millen House, also known as Rotunda Hospital, was built in 1911 and became the state’s first maternity hospital.

The Heritage Council described the Edward Millen home complex as “essential to the heritage of the locality” and of “exceptional significance”.

According to the business plan, the Edward Millen heritage precinct has cost the town more than $3.23 million since the tenure transfer in 2006.

The proposed restoration of Edward Millen precinct. Image: Benson Studio via Town of Victoria Park

A development approval from the Metro Inner-South Joint Development Assessment Panel is required to start construction.

Blackoak Capital Ventures is 65 per cent owned by Blackoak Capital Ventures Pty Ltd and 35 per cent owned by Arget Ventures.

The companies established Blackoak Capital – Elizabeth Baillie Pty Ltd as the entity responsible for the redevelopment.

In 2021, the town launched community consultation to rename Edward Millen precinct to Elizabeth Baillie, a nurse and midwife who established Rotunda Maternity Hospital.