By Romy Stephens
Lilydale cafe Locavore Studio is fighting to save its outdoor mural, despite concerns from the Yarra Ranges Council that the artwork does not meet heritage requirements.
Healesville artist Paul Sonsie created the mural on the heritage overlayed building’s exterior.
But the council said it did not meet State Government-set heritage planning controls and set a deadline for it to be removed by 22 September.
Locavore owner and head chef Jessie Crossley said she submitted a VicSmart application and was told by the council that she would receive a response within 10 days.
“We didn’t get an answer in 10 days, it had been something like 20 business days,” she said.
“We had a pocket of really good weather and I just decided to put it up, which was probably looking back on it a mistake and I own that.
“But I also saw what the mural would bring to the community and testimony to that is all of the petitions that have been signed.
“People have been commenting saying how they’ve been driving past and it lights up their day…it’s brought a lot of joy to people’s lives which is what I wanted it to do.”
Yarra Ranges Council social and economic development director James Collins said the council received an application last year involving retrospective planning approval for works that included a new mural on the building’s external wall.
But Mr Collins said the application was refused.
“Over the course of the application, council outlined support for artwork along the building, but articulated the need for any artworks to meet heritage controls required by the overlay and suggested alternative design options for the mural,” he said.
“We respect the significance of public artwork in the Yarra Ranges and the quality of the current mural, however, council is required to ensure the planning laws set by the State Government are upheld.”
The council’s deadline for the mural’s removal sparked an online petition for the artwork to be saved that has received more than 1500 signatures.
The Lilydale Township Action Group aims to present an independent voice that advocates for the people of Lilydale’s visions, aspirations and issues.
Chairman Neal Taylor said the mural was an example of the challenges faced when trying to retain heritage while also supporting the town’s future.
“This issue highlights an ongoing challenge for Lilydale as we seek to protect our local heritage while honouring the past and while supporting local businesses to ensure they thrive to build a sustainable future for Lilydale,” he said.
“It needs to be a very fine balance between keeping the heritage and looking forward to the future.”
Ms Crossley said the mural had given life to a commercial and graffiti-plagued region and that taggers had not touched the mural.
She added that she hoped the mural acted as a learning curve for both the council and the community.
“I hope that it creates conversation within the council and the community,” she said.
“I do appreciate that the rules are the rules and you can’t just set precedents for one person.
“But that the council really take into account the community’s voice and that we get an answer from that.”
