Wyreena Conservatory renewal

Project categoryBuilding
StatusPlanned
Approx. start dateFebruary 2026

Render of Wyreena building and new conservatory, looking north

About the project

Renewal works are planned at Wyreena Community Arts Centre to build a new conservatory building next to the main building structure, replacing the current conservatory café building which has reached the end of its expected lifespan.

The $1.3M project is being funded by Council, with works scheduled to commence in February 2026 and completion scheduled for mid to late 2026.

The proposed works include:

removal of the existing conservatory and gazebo located on the eastern side of the main building
construction of a new single-storey glass conservatory at the existing conservatory site on the same footprint and location of the current café building.
addition of alfresco, shaded dining area and connected pathways
Carpark upgrade works to improve vehicle access and increase parking options on site
Pathway improvements to aid with accessibility and movement through the site.

The proposed development represents an appropriate heritage outcome that addresses the heritage provisions of the Maroondah Planning Scheme while providing a contemporary, quality design to support the continued use of the facility as a community arts centre.

The proposed development includes:

glazed windows that have a self-cleaning coating, are toughened and have high thermal and acoustic performance
awning windows with automated blinds
automated sliding doors to create an indoor/outdoor space
energy efficient air conditioning
an environmentally focused design
powder-coated steel frame, and more.

Benefiting our community

The project will provide a new, modern conservatory space to service the thriving Wyreena community arts centre. The new space will house the cafe, in a similar scale to the current offering, and provide a versatile events and functions space, ensuring the facility can continue to cater to the needs of the community.

This project will benefit our Maroondah community, including arts centre visitors, cafe-goers, function guests, local artists, centre staff and art students. The design will complement the existing heritage structure and enhance accessibility features, making it a culturally considered, beautiful and safe space for our community.

Supporting our thriving arts centre

Council is committed to supporting the Wyreena community, including staff, students, teachers, artists, tenants, visitors, playspace users and surrounding residents throughout these works.

Council is supporting cafe tenants and staff through this transition and will prioritise the re-instalment of a cafe business into the new space as soon as practical, exploring ongoing service by the current café tenants.

Council will work closely with users of the main Wyreena building, art studios, community radio facility, Catomore Hall and Silver Birches to reduce noise and access disruptions where possible. Venue entry access and car parking will be impacted during the works, with impact to users minimised where possible. Pedestrian movement will be impacted through the open areas of the site during pathway renewal works and will be communicated appropriately.

Contact the team

If you'd like more information about the building renewal you can contact Council's Assets Project team:

Phone 1300 88 22 33
Email: maroondah@maroondah.vic.gov.au

If you're unsure about how these works might affect your visit to Wyreena Community Arts Centre, contact the Wyreena team:

Phone: 03 9294 5590
Email: wyreena@maroondah.vic.gov.au

Heritage protection

The current conservatory building is nearing the end of its life and is due for renewal. This project will replace the existing conservatory building (built c1997), with a considered, cohesive and architecturally minimalist response that respects the heritage building.

The proposed design represents an appropriate heritage outcome that addresses the heritage provisions of the Maroondah Planning Scheme while providing a contemporary, quality design to support the continued use of the precinct as a community arts centre.

Council engaged professional heritage consultants to undertake a detailed heritage impact statement in relation to this project.

Download the heritage impact statement.(PDF, 5MB)

FAQs

What heritage protections apply to Wyreena?

Wyreena is not included in the Victorian Heritage Register, Victorian Heritage Inventory, National Heritage List or Commonwealth Heritage List. The property is not classified by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) or included in the Register of the National Estate.

The site is included in the Schedule to the Heritage Overlay of the Maroondah Planning Scheme.

The existing conservatory, lightweight gazebo and immediately surrounding hard and soft landscaping elements do not contribute to the significance of the relevant heritage overlay schedule.

This removal is considered acceptable and consistent within the heritage overlay schedule, relevant to the below clauses:

retain those elements that contribute to the importance of the heritage place
whether the demolition, removal or external alteration will adversely affect the significance of the heritage place

Why does the conservatory café need to be rebuilt?

The current structure has reached its end of life and is due for renewal. and to meet the site requirements and permits, a like-for-like structure will replace the current conservatory building, with a modern upgrade to the design and functionality of the space.

How will the new conservatory café be used?

The rebuilt conservatory café will be used for the same purpose as currently - as a commercially tenanted café with negotiations underway to retain the current tenancy if viable.

Why will the renewed conservatory have a contemporary design?

When constructing new buildings alongside heritage style buildings, it is a requirement that the design is complementary - and does not mimic or replicate the look of the older buildings. The heritage advisor has selected a modern glasshouse look, minimalist in nature, using a simple black frame, with internal blinds, pendant lighting and soft wood internal finishings. Heritage assessment provides that this design will allow the unique heritage character of the older buildings on this site to remain the primary architectural features of this heritage arts precinct. Due to the limitations of like-for-like renewal works within a heritage setting, the design was informed through targeted, specialist consultation only.

Scope of works

Included in the scope of this project:

Demolition of existing conservatory building and gazebo on the eastern side of the main building.
Construction of new conservatory building at the site of the existing structure.
Hard landscaping works adjacent to works site including footpath renewal works connecting with the existing footpath networks around the site.
Improvements to the northern car park with the addition of pathways and lighting.
Creation of a loading bay for deliveries.

Materials being used include reinforced steel and double glazed glass for the frame, with wood furnishings, pendant lighting and internal block out blinds to complete a softer internal theming.

The scope of this project does NOT include works to any of the below buildings:

Existing main Wyreena building.
Silver Birches.
Art studio and community radio building.
Catomore Hall.

Also NOT included in the scope of these works:

Playspace upgrades.
Tree or vegetation removal outside the work site.

Tree retention

No trees are proposed to be removed or lopped as part of the proposed works.

Landscaping works

The proposed landscape design is consistent with the broader landscape style of the site. Concrete aggregate paving will be installed to the exterior of the new conservatory building to allow for outdoor dining. The reintroduction of concrete paths will connect to the existing pathway network, providing accessible thoroughfare through the broader Wyreena site.