Grand plans for historic boys’ home

A MELBOURNE based property developer has an ambitious $20m plan for Newhaven’s old boys home site and hopes to retain and restore much of the heritage buildings. 

Omni Property Group owner Brian Amatruda hopes to transform the site at 54-61 Forrest Avenue, Newhaven into a future tourism destination and restore it to its former glory.

Mr Amatruda said the group had recently been endorsed by Bass Coast Shire for meeting the requirements of a planning permit which was the result of VCAT hearing more than a decade ago.

“At this stage we’re looking at what we’re going to do with them,” he said.

“Our intention is to preserve the building, so we would look at an amendment to the permit.

“We want to do a full restoration of the boys home.”

Mr Amatruda highlighted he was disappointed that the site had been damaged or destroyed by vandals, but has now installed security measures to prevent further vandalism. 

“It’s one of the most prominent heritage buildings on the Island and the most grand… it deserves a full restoration,” he said.

“As we go further, we’ve been working with Bass Coast Shire and Heritage Victoria and will have a meeting with residents to show them our plans.

“We will get community feedback and from there we will make a plan of what we actually do.”

Mr Amatruda added he envisions that the site could become an incredible tourist destination, with access for the general public to explore the grounds and even an app that explains each section of the building and its former use. 

“It would most likely have a café in the building and people could enjoy the whole grounds,” he said.