Butter Factory Fire Damage Update

Published on 15 October 2018

City of Busselton has worked closely with the two main tenants of the Old Butter Factory to progress repairs in the aftermath of the fire incident that caused significant damage to the building in March this year.

While the section of the building occupied by the Pottery Club was re-opened for business within a relatively short time frame, the level of damage to electrical wiring and structural components in the portion of the building tenanted by the Busselton Historical Society was considerably greater and is still ongoing. Access to this section of the building remains restricted.

Mayor Grant Henley thanked the Busselton Historical Society for their patience and flexibility over the past months: “We acknowledge members are frustrated by the inability to access the building since the fire but public safety is our priority. We are working with structural and architectural specialists and suitably qualified contractors to replace structural components, wiring and lighting damaged in the fire. However, it should be noted that a great deal of work, including internal and external structural and heritage assessments and the removal of contaminants (including some asbestos) was necessary before structural, wiring and lighting repairs could proceed. The City has also provided temporary accommodation for the Historical Society at the old Busselton Library to conduct meetings and clean artefacts. A sea container has been put onsite for storage and ventilation vents installed to protect artefacts.”

Mayor Henley acknowledged that repairs to the building have taken longer than initially anticipated but that at no time had the assessment and repair process stalled. “There have been many complexities involved in repairing this heritage building and the retrieval and storage of museum pieces. Repairing the building and returning the historical society to the premises in the shortest possible timeframe has been, and remains, Council’s priority.”

The City expects to receive final construction inspection, specifications, works methodology and quantity surveyor documentation this month. A request for tender for the repair and rectification works will then be awarded with the view to commencing work in November 2018. The City anticipates completion of works in February 2019, noting this date is subject to the successful award of the tender and obtaining any necessary approvals including ongoing heritage consultation.  The City acknowledges the impact on revenue at the Historical Society and is covering utilities and other expenses during the reconstruction period.

Outcomes and objectives outlined in this statement align with Key Goal Area 1 in the City of Busselton’s Strategic Community Plan (2017): A community with access to a range of cultural and art, social and recreational facilities and experiences.

Ends.

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