General News
25 October, 2025
Beulah Victoria Hotel to be demolished
The historic Victoria Hotel in Beulah is slated for demolition due to years of deterioration that have raised serious public safety concerns.
Yarriambiack Shire Council chief executive Tammy Smith said the initial concerns were raised by the council’s surveyor regarding the hotel’s veranda.
“Council’s Municipal Building Surveyor initially expressed concerns regarding the Victoria Hotel’s veranda due to deterioration observed over recent months, with it partially detaching from the building," she said.
Mrs Smith said further investigation revealed deeper problems.
“Council’s building team also raised alarming concerns about the hotel’s overall structural integrity,” she said.
With the veranda at risk of collapse, the council took immediate safety measures.
“Due to the veranda detaching from the building and presenting a potential risk of collapse onto the roadway or footpath, an emergency building order was issued,” she said.
“Additional concerns were raised regarding the effect that removal of the veranda might have on the structural integrity of the building.”
To address the risks, the council closed the footpath and sections of the road around the hotel as a precaution against possible injury to the public.
More recently, the council worked closely with the property owner to determine a safe outcome.
“During the past two to three months, Council has engaged proactively with the property owner to negotiate terms for the demolition of the hotel,” she said.
“Although partial demolition was initially evaluated, this approach was found to present potential concerns regarding neighbourhood amenity and safety.
She said the difficult decision to demolish the entire building was made after careful consideration.
“Although the building is recognised as an iconic community asset in its day, its structural integrity has deteriorated to a point where repair is no longer considered feasible, and demolition of the hotel in its entirety was concluded as the best outcome for the owner and the community,” Mrs Smith said.
The CEO clarified that “all building orders issued related to the hotel only and the associated home to the south will not be demolished.”
Demolition works have already commenced and is expected to continue into the next week.
“Our objective is to safeguard assets that hold historical significance within our towns; however, in instances where buildings have not been properly maintained, they may present substantial risks, necessitating careful deliberation about their future,” Mrs Smith said.
The demolition marks the end of an era for Beulah, where the Victoria Hotel once stood as a proud landmark and gathering place for generations of locals.
