By Mitchell Clarke
A Gembrook resident has bold plans to turn the site of the historic Ranges Hotel into a bustling arts and crafts hub in a bid to put the township on the tourist trail.
Garry McGough, who is also the Chairman of Eastern Dandenong Ranges Association (EDRA) for business and tourism, said the most ideal outcome would be the hotel being rebuilt.
“EDRA’s preference is for the hotel to be rebuilt, but given the site has now been put on the open market, we believe that there should be some community benefit retained at the site,” Mr McGough said.
“I’m saying this site could be purchased and turned into an arts and crafts hub with an artisan market, promoting local artisans and attracting tourists.”
His vision of the hub would also include a buffet catered to the tastes of International visitors.
“The idea would be to attract tourists to the town on a regular seven day a week basis including tour buses – which we’re now not currently attracting – due to the lack of such facilities,” he said.
“I’ve been told by Puffing Billy that up to 20,000 people a week come to the Dandenong’s and of that, we capture hardly anything.”
EDRA echoes Mr McGough’s plans but said Cardinia Shire Council would need to be prepared to accommodate coach parking within the township, in support of general tourism opportunities.
While the community has made it clear they want to rebuild a pub which replicates their famous old hotel, Mr McGough believes it wouldn’t necessarily be viable, with a restaurant failing to gain traction throughout the week – despite the Ranges Hotel doing very well just before the tragedy.
“The hotel was trading well before the fire according to the owner and the consensus of the local community is for a hotel to be rebuilt on the site,” he said.
“The addition of a large tourist attraction such as an arts and crafts hub would attract local and international visitors to Gembrook every day of the week, making a hotel more viable.”
The Ranges Hotel was tragically guttered by fire in September 2018. Despite the fire not reaching the hotel’s accommodation section, the loss of the heritage-listed hotel left residents devastated.
“We are missing a meeting place, we need a meeting place which houses at least 120 people,” he said.
“People just don’t want to see a housing development there or a group of little shops.”
Mr McGough’s plans would also include a tavern style bar – either initially or in time – which would cater for a la carte meals, allowing it to act as a meeting place, much like the Ranges Hotel did.
As to how the project would be funded, Mr McGough is open to all prospects, whether it be purchased by a developer or funded by the community.
“If a group of people could form a push to buy a brick in the pub to redevelop it at possibly $100, and if we sell 15,000 bricks, that’s a total of $1.5 million,” he said.
“People I’ve already spoken to have said ‘I’d buy a brick, I’d buy quite a few.”
The idea would mean that any investments over a certain amount would receive a dividend on the money they’ve already invested. A discount on food and beverage at the tavern, once up and running, would also be on offer.
“That way people get a bonus on their money while helping the town to redevelop,” he said.
“We’ve got a great group of people in Gembrook, there’s a lot for us to show in this community.
“I just see unlimited potential to bring people to Gembrook and I think tourism and food is the way to go.”
Mr McGough’s prospective vision, which has the support of various other community members, will be tabled for discussion at the Gembrook Community Group on Wednesday 3 July.
But the overwhelming consensus on social media was that an arts hub was the last thing the town needed.
“I wouldn’t visit a town for an arts and crafts hub, I’d bypass the arts and crafts for somewhere with a pub that cooks great meals and has a great atmosphere,” one Facebook user wrote.
“It needs to stay as the Ranges Hotel! Lots of people spent years trying to get it reopened! I’ll chuck money in to get it back up and running,” another added.
The property is currently on the market and is set to be auctioned on Saturday 13 July.
