Feddy’s new life

‘‘We understand that we have a responsibility to the community on this project and that has been made clear not only from what people have said in the past, but what people are saying now when they see the hotel being brought back to life,’’ he said.

‘‘It is clear the town is very excited, and we need to take on board that we have an obligation to make sure we deliver a suitable project.

‘‘I personally think it is a very special building from its history to location. It is important to the town, so we also want to make sure whatever business is eventually run out of there stands out.’’

The Melbourne based developer has been working on multiple industrial properties in Deniliquin – including the Fellows Bulk Transport sheds on Barham Rd and local artist Stuart Taylor’s workspace in Sloane St – for four years with his wife Poppy and their children Jasmine (6) and Holly (8 months).

‘‘We have met a lot of people and we really love the town, so I just feel a deep sense of responsibility for what we are doing here,’’ Mr Costin said.

‘‘We have been trying to finish a project in Melbourne which has run over time, so we have not done a lot on the interior at the Feddy yet, but we are hoping this project in Melbourne wrapped up in the next month.

‘‘Then we will full time be working on the interior at the Feddy in Deni. But it is going to be a long process because there is an awful lot of work to do. 

‘‘The budget is quite tight and we need to make sure the project remains commercial, so we will be fitting it in amongst other work and looking for the most cost-effective scheduling we can come up with.’’

The exterior of the building is currently being repainted and is expected to take three weeks.

It will be a variety of warm grey and olive colours, all painted by local contractor Toby McLean and his team.

‘‘Choosing a new colour was a lengthy process,’’ Mr Costin said.

‘‘We looked around at a lot of pubs that had been restored but we never really found anything we thought would suit the Feddy.

‘‘So we hired a colour consultant and she has done quite well. We wanted to get a balance of heritage and industrial.

‘‘We needed to work with council on the colours as well and they were quite proactive in helping, approving the colour scheme with a slight adjustment so the words on the hotel would stand out which was a really good recommendation.

‘‘Toby McLean has gone to enormous lengths to make this all possible, working wonders in scheduling the resources required for such a large project and meeting a very tight budget without compromising quality.’’

Mr Costin hopes to work some of Deniliquin’s history in the finished project through art.

‘‘We have talked to local artist Stuart Taylor and would love to incorporate some of his sculptures in the renovation of the Feddy,’’ Mr Costin said.

‘‘We were also hoping to put a mural on the wall facing the laneway into the carpark.

‘‘I have some themes, particularly around the history and resilience of the town, that I would like to put to council. 

‘‘Deniliquin is an old town that has survived pretty tough times, and those times are continuing.

‘‘The Feddy is already coming together and I am pleased to see how excited people are to have this icon refurbished.

‘‘I am just hoping we can deliver and meet the community’s expectations.’’