THE builder behind the re-development of the former St Aidan's Orphanage at Kennington has invited concerned locals to tour the site and see first-hand what his company intends to do in the next five years.
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The first stage of the $12 million development includes building 29 double-story houses in the front gardens of the orphanage.
The next two stages, according to project manager Bruce Arthur from Bendigo company BDA Constructions, will see 30 apartments built inside the orphanage's two main buildings and the outside restored to its former glory.
"It has been derelict for the past 10 years and nobody has said anything about it," he said.
"Up until last Saturday, and in our minds, we are saving the orphanage.'" This is what we've got to do to make the refurbishment of the orphanage work. "This is a way of controlling it so it stays the same for 50 to 100 years." Mr Arthur eased fears the orphanage would be abandoned after the houses in the gardens were built.
"You can't sell the front without doing the orphanage up. It just won't work," he said.
"We have already spent 12 months repairing the orphanage.
"By fixing up a few things now we are hopefully showing people we are serious about improving the main buildings." He admitted the existing view of the orphanage would be obstructed in some places, but he said in others it would be improved.
Part of keeping the view open is a park, which creates a 35 metre buffer zone between the houses and the orphanage buildings.
"The ceiling level of the highest house is lower than the floor level of the orphanage," he said.
"We are trying to set up a community where people would be proud to live.
"Everyone in the immediate area has been positive towards it." Mr Arthur yesterday released the drawings of the individual houses in stage one.
