HERITAGE Victoria has told The News the reconstruction of Norman Lodge Gatehouse was set to commence last week, although by Sunday (19 July) there was no apparent activity at the site.
The statement from Heritage Victoria came after a letter dated 25 May 2026 from Steven Avery, Executive Director of Heritage Victoria, seen by The News, stated “Reconstruction works are expected to commence no later than 29 June 2026”.
The dismantling documentation was provided by the owner’s consultants in November 2025.
Documentation pertaining to the reconstruction of the heritage-listed Norman Lodge gatehouse was submitted to Heritage Victoria in late February 2026 following a request for an extension.
Heritage Victoria would not confirm to The News when approval for the reconstruction plan was granted, but once approved, works were required to commence within 90 days and be completed within 180 days of commencement.
The fate of the heritage-listed building has been long-running and attracted significant community interest.
The protected gatehouse has been the subject of planning applications in 2013 and 2020 that would have seen the structure deconstructed and moved just metres away to be reconstructed on a concrete slab footing. The future of the building fell into doubt in April 2024 when it was badly damaged after a large eucalyptus tree fell onto it.
Subsequent to that incident, the shire issued a demolition order after a structural engineer’s report identified the building had suffered “total loss of structural integrity” (Demolition order issued for historic gatehouse, The News 20/8/24).
In June 2024 Heritage Victoria, the responsible authority, issued a notice to show cause under the Heritage Act 2017 to the owners of the Norman Lodge gatehouse requiring a range of works and activities to be undertaken following damage caused by the fallen tree.
On 16 August 2024, a further show cause notice was issued by Heritage Victoria as a precursor to a potential repair order requiring the dismantling and reconstruction of the gatehouse.
In response to the August show cause notice, the owner of Norman Lodge engaged heritage conservation and architectural firm, Lovell Chen. That firm was tasked with closely monitoring and recording the dismantling of the gatehouse.
At the time of the building’s deconstruction, a statement from Heritage Victoria said “The building is being dismantled in accordance with a methodology approved by Heritage Victoria and includes a detailed photographic survey and measured drawings to allow for reconstruction”.
“Salvaged materials including bricks, timber, windows, doors, ceiling roses and other decorative elements are being stored on-site.
“Non-original terracotta roof tiles, general building rubble including plaster and severely degraded timber, are being placed in skips. The roof will be replaced with slate tiles as per its original construction.”
It has been proposed that the gatehouse will be relocated from its original site, based on advice from an arborist, but will remain near the driveway.
A spokesperson from Heritage Victoria said “Heritage Victoria is working closely with the owners, the local council, and relevant stakeholders to ensure the gatehouse is reconstructed and its heritage values are preserved.”
First published in the Mornington News – 21 July 2026
