Museum grounds open

After almost a year of hard work, the Busselton Museum will reopen its grounds to the public on January 22 via a gold coin donation.

But the repair of the Old Butter Factory remains in limbo, with a tender released by the City of Busselton Council closing on December 20.

The 100-year-old main building will remain closed among fears it is unsafe after a fire broke out on March 27 in the top storey.

The City owns Lots 1-2, and 238 Peel Terrace including the Old Butter Factory, but so far no building company has undertaken the difficult rebuild of the heritage-listed building.

City of Busselton manager of community services Maxine Palmer said work would start immediately after the contract was awarded.

“In consultation with a heritage architect, the City is evaluating responses and anticipate award of contract late January 2019,” she said.

Late last year, after a clean-up of the exterior was completed, the City approved access to the working sheds at the rear of the property and recently approved access to the grounds. Exhibits such as the machinery, old school house, settlement house and saddlery will be available to view.

The Busselton Historical Society has been meeting at the Old Busselton Library in Mitchell Park, undertaking works on damaged artefacts.

Busselton Historical Society president Sandra Johnston said restoration of the building was an ongoing process and the club was searching for new members. “We have an ageing membership who have worked their tails off to get to this stage,” she said.