More than 500 people have signed a petition telling Geelong councillors to keep the city’s “iconic” former post office for community use.
Lex Chalmers started the petition after concerns councillors could decide to sell the historic building at an upcoming meeting.
Council has been weighing the building’s fate against maintenance costs since the last tenant moved out in 2018.
“Selling the building would deny the people of Geelong any opportunity to retain it for community use,” Ms Chalmers said.
She flagged potential community uses of the facility such as a design centre displaying local inventions or a Scienceworks-inspired children’s museum.
The ideas could help “rejuvenate” the building while giving the city a new tourism drawcard, Ms Chalmers said.
“Dollars spent now to conserve the post office, preserve important historic material, and display Geelong’s creative designs would add to community pride.
“It would be a most economical solution to the needs of community interest groups.”
Council could apply for government grants to fund the initiatives while leasing the building’s upper floor to assist with running costs, Ms Chalmers said.
“As a public body, council can best apply for government funds to restore the interior and develop standing and temporary displays.”
In April council backed away from initial plans to sell the post office building, at 83 Ryrie St, instead deciding to explore a “range of options” for its future.
The backflip followed public feedback on the proposed sell-off, including a submission from the local branch of the National Trust of Australia.
Earlier this month council decided to discuss the future ownership or potential uses of the building at council’s 30 July meeting. But a City Hall spokesperson said this week that the discussion would now wait until council’s August meeting.
The building operated as a post office from 1891 to 1994, when council bought it from State Government with an interest-free loan of $670,000.
City Hall staff moved out of the council-owned building last year and it has now been vacant for more than 12 months.
Council heritage portfolio-holder Jim Mason said the building had “many reasons” to stay in public ownership but would be protected regardless.
“Whether or not it stays in public hands, we feel confident the post office will be much better protected through council’s conservation management plan,” Cr Mason said.
“We continue to follow through with all the important feedback until we make our decisions.”
