Steve Whan
Member for Monaro

MEDIA RELEASE

New Conservation Management Plan for Rusten House

Tuesday, 1 July 2025

Member for Monaro, Steve Whan has announced a $22,000 grant to Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council for the preparation of an updated Conservation Management Plan for Rusten House.

Provided by the Minns Labor Government's Caring for State Grants program will support the preparation of an updated Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the Rusten House in Queanbeyan.

Steve Whan said "Rusten House is a much-loved part of Queanbeyan's heritage, it was our town's second hospital built in 1861 with funds raised in the town by the Queanbeyan and District Hospital Society.

"Rusten House was the main hospital for the Canberra region until well into the 1930s.

"Over the last quarter of a century, Rusten House has received State and Local Government support for restoration and the removal of asbestos and it was included on the State Heritage register in 1999 (source).

"This grant will facilitate a revised CMP to reflect changes since the last 2012 report, including conservation and renovation works completed in 2021.

"It will provide tailored policies to guide future site activation, improve accessibility, and address the historical archaeological potential of the garden, ensuring the site's heritage values are appropriately managed into the future.

"Council manages Rusten House and will deliver the CMP, ensuring that Rusten House continues to be a part of our built history for generations to come."