Omeo Justice Precinct Master Plan

The Omeo Justice Precinct Masterplan project is vital for preserving local heritage, while creating new opportunities for tourism and community use.

The master plan project aims to bring new life to the Omeo Justice Precinct by finding business opportunities that will help create a lively and appealing tourist destination.

The Precinct, located in central Omeo, has great potential to attract visitors and support the local economy.

By giving the historic buildings and surrounding area a new purpose, we can protect their heritage and ensure they are enjoyed for years to come.

What we've done so far

East Gippsland Shire Council has been working for several years to understand the history, condition and future potential of the Omeo Justice Precinct.

So far, we have:

• Commissioned a detailed Heritage Analysis by Lovell Chen, confirming the precinct’s State-level significance and guiding what can, and cannot, change
• Prepared a comprehensive Draft Omeo Justice Precinct Master Plan Report, supported by research into heritage, tourism, governance and market opportunities
• Undertaken community and stakeholder engagement, including local residents, the Omeo Historical Society and key agencies
• Considered how the precinct can work better as a civic heart for Omeo, while protecting its heritage buildings and landscape
• Identified immediate priorities for conservation, safety and accessibility, alongside longer-term opportunities for activation

This work has helped shape a draft vision and set of principles that balance heritage conservation with opportunities for civic, cultural and visitor use.

The preparation of the Draft Omeo Justice Precinct Masterplan has been supported by the Victorian State Government through the Enabling Tourism Fund, enabling Council to undertake this detailed analysis and engagement.

Current Update

The Omeo Justice Precinct Master Plan Report is now available for review, and we’re inviting final feedback from the community.

The masterplan provides a clear, evidence-based framework to:

• Conserve and restore significant heritage buildings, including the two courthouses, log gaol and police buildings
• Improve public access, wayfinding, lighting and landscaping across the site
• Strengthen the precinct’s role as a civic and cultural space for locals and visitors
• Align the precinct with broader opportunities, including Omeo’s growing mountain bike tourism and visitor economy

The Draft Master Plan has been shaped by the precinct’s heritage significance and detailed expert input and sets out an overall direction, layout and guiding principles. While feedback may not result in fundamental changes to the plan, your feedback is still valuable and will help us:

• Confirm that the draft masterplan reflects community aspirations
• Identify any final refinements or considerations before adoption
• Ensure the implementation approach is clear, realistic and locally informed

What's next:

After this final consultation period:

• All submissions will be carefully reviewed
• Minor refinements may be made where feasible and appropriate
• Council will move toward finalising the Master Plan

Once finalised, the masterplan will be used to:

• Guide future funding applications
• Prioritise conservation and safety works
• Stage improvements over time
• Provide clarity and confidence for future investment and partnerships

Importantly, the masterplan does not commit funding or delivery timelines. Instead, it sets the long-term framework needed to protect the precinct and gradually bring the vision to life as opportunities arise.

Final Feedback closes on the 25 May 2026

Funding

This project is funded by the Victorian Government through Emergency Recovery Victoria.

We welcome your continued interest in this initiative. Updates will be provided on Your Say. Please click 'Subscribe' at the top of the page to follow this project and receive important information directly to your inbox. If you want to search for other projects near you, simply type the town name in the search bar.