Built in 1885, the former Walhalla Post Office and Residence came under direct threat from the 2019/20 Eastern Victoria fires, that destroyed more than 1.5 million hectares of land.
But thanks to a $43,000 Living Heritage grant awarded to the Walhalla Board of Management, the historic timber post office has now been fitted with a fire suppression sprinkler system to help protect it from future devastating fire events.
Fitted to the outside of the building, the fire suppression system can shoot large sprays of water all around the outside of the building to help it fight off fires.
The system can be activated on site, remotely or automatically in response to heat from fire.
The project was successfully completed in 2021, and The Board said the Country Fire Authority took a keen interest in the project and the design of the fire suppression system
Fire protection is important for heritage places which are often unique and important to local communities.
The Department’s Bushfire Recovery Program is part of the recovery from the 2019/20 fires in the Gippsland and Hume regions, and Heritage Victoria is also providing expert advice for affected heritage places.
Aerial footage of the Former Post Office and Residence
Page last updated: 16/05/22