A MYSTERY investment group has re-ignited hopes the Beechworth Gaol can be redeveloped into a “thriving community space” after snapping up the historic site.
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The investors from the Beechworth area and Melbourne have come to the rescue after an earlier sale of the gaol, which has had Ned Kelly and Carl Williams among its many inmates, fell over in March.
The former Sydney-based owners reportedly paid around $2 million for the gaol after auction last November.
Beechworth’s Matt Pfahlert has been appointed spokesman for the new owners, but wouldn’t reveal whether he was a member of the investment group.
“We’ve signed a confidentiality agreement around the conditions and identity of the investors, but there is a signed contract of sale in place,” he said.
“The group is committed to making the Beechworth Gaol a thriving community space with social and economic benefits to not only Beechworth, but the entire region over time.”
Mr Pfahlert said a master-planning process for the 3.5-hectare site would start immediately, but the entire redevelopment would take many years to come to fruition.
“The Beechworth community has watched very little activity happening around it for the last 10 years,” he said.
“We are hoping people can have a little bit more patience.”
The residential sub-division with Indigo Shire approval is expected to be re-visited.
Indigo mayor James Trenery hoped the new owners could achieve similar results to a $26 million redevelopment of the Bendigo Gaol.
“It’s amazing what they have been able to achieve down there and the main role council can play is to open those avenues for conversations with state and federal governments,” he said.
Beechworth Gaol advisory committee chairman Bernard Gaffney said: “A meeting will be called in coming days and we look forward to seeing the master-plan.
“It's crucial the plans are accepted by the community because it is the most important building in North East Victoria.”