Rippon Lea Estate Visitor Access Improvement

Statement from the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) announcing the Rippon Lea Estate visitor access improvement capital project.

Rippon Lea Estate is set to undergo a $2.3 million upgrade to provide increased community access and improved visitor amenities.

Over the next 18 months further parts of this national heritage listed property will be restored and opened to the public, including a cultural hub with social, education and commercial spaces.

The hub will be built around the former stables, carriage house and servants areas. New publicly accessible spaces will include the chauffeur’s residence, old kitchens the former children’s wing and nursery. A large area of the estates historic gardens will be opened free as a non-ticketed admission zone.

The conservatory saved by the National Trust from demolition last year will get a new lease of life at the site. It’s cast iron structure — returned to Rippon Lea earlier last year from nearly 70 years in Caulfield Park — had fallen into disrepair but now will be restored to create an onsite cafe.

The works will be funded by a $985,900 federal grant, together with $1.3m from the National Trust and its funding partners, The Andrew’s Foundation.

National Trust of Australia (Victoria) describes the $2.3 million project as a landmark project for the 147-year-old estate and one that will ensure Rippon Lea’s long-term sustainability whilst providing, for the first time in the Trust ownership, free publicly accessible green space within the site.

City of Glen Eira residents have some of the lowest rates of green space per capita within the state of Victoria; we see this project as significantly increasing residents green space options within the Elsternwick catchment. Residents will be able to freely use a large section of the historic pleasure garden situated alongside the Gordon Street boundary.

“The National Trust is excited about undertaking its largest ever capital works project at Rippon Lea Estate as we celebrate 60 years promoting the value of community heritage conservation and access in Victoria,” said Paul Roser, CEO, National Trust of Australia (Victoria).

Further information on the project can be found at http://www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/heritage/apply-for-heritage-permits/currently-advertised-permits