By NOEL MURPHY
GEELONG’S historic lime kilns have been abandoned to vandalism, graffiti and rubbish.
The heritage-listed brick and bluestone kilns, at Limeburner’s Point on the Stingaree Bay side of Eastern Park, were reinforced with steel bracing and meshing and fenced off several years ago but have fallen to neglect and the elements.
The kilns, built into the side of an escarpment date from the 1860s and 1870s.
The ruins are of archaeological and historical significance to Victoria, with lime a crucial building material in Geelong from as early as 1838.
Heritage councillor Tony Ansett said State Government had allowed the kilns to slide into ruin.
“These are the sort of things I find difficult in Geelong,” he said.
“In Ballarat and Bendigo they highlight these sort of things. We have history here that goes right back to early beginnings of the town.
“This is where they found the legendary Geelong Keys. Limeburner’s Point and lime are a critical part of our history and our early manufacturing, we need it to be maintained and restored.“
A Department of Environment and Primary Industries said City of Greater Geelong was responsible for managing the site.
