Plans are in motion for part of the Bruck Textiles site to be subdivided into 33 light industrial lots to enhance disused space and promote business and economic growth in Wangaratta.

The project includes the subdivision of 6.4 hectares where an oval, formerly home to Bruck Cricket Club, is located.

Other connecting areas in the vicinity, including a 9.35ha lot containing the existing Bruck manufacturing buildings and ongoing operations, are also part of the application.

The site is bordered by Sisely Avenue, Bruck Court, and Frank Hayes Drive.

Plans submitted to the Rural City of Wangaratta council seeking approval propose to retain the existing Bruck boiler house building and latter extension and several sheds to the east, and a large industrial shed and smaller workshop to the west.

"The broader factory site will be retained in full and remain operational ensuring the other values including historical, and aesthetic are maintained and the understanding and appreciation of the site as an operational factory remain evident," the report read.

Other proposed demolitions would include the former welfare centre/staff amenities block/fabric shop, and the old sports building, which applicants say are all in disrepair.

It’s also proposed to demolish the old administrative building to the north of the site.

This building contains asbestos and is not fit for use and the application states that it would not be practical to attempt to retain and restore.

Its demolition will facilitate the creation of four lots and the court bowl to the northwest of the subject land.

A heritage report supplied with the application indicates that demolition of the administration building is “not appropriate” and that the building is not in such a state of disrepair that it could not be reused.

Conditions put to the applicant were to provide information and reasons why the demolition of the building is required including an option analysis, and net community benefit considerations to offset the impact of the building’s removal.

If applicants were to pursue the argument that the admin building cannot be repaired, a structural integrity assessment by a qualified person must be provided.

With this, applicants submitted a revised Heritage Impact Statement which confirmed the administration building, in particular, is beyond repair and is a safety hazard due to asbestos, lead paint and black mould as well as structural integrity being compromised.

The report confirmed that the proposed demolition of the administration and other less significant buildings was acceptable in this case.

A Heritage Interpretation Strategy recommends measures to mitigate the loss of some buildings and context within the site.

Archival photographic recording prior to demolition, a plan to capture the extant features of the site, and a salvage plan to determine dynamic ways to capture and display the heritage values of the site for the public are also recommended in the strategy.

Removal of existing trees and shrubs will be required to facilitate the subdivision, however, these are all planted with no locally Indigenous remnant native vegetation in situ or no heritage controls over trees.

Garry Nash & Co Real Estate supported the development in saying the current plan provides an appropriate layout for local businesses and buyers who are currently in discussions with their team regarding industrial and commercial land.

"Based on feedback from prospective buyers and the broader market, affordability remains a key consideration - primarily influenced by allotment size and zoning," the agency said.

"The majority of buyers currently seeking industrial allotments are local tradespeople looking to expand their businesses or secure owner-occupied premises.

"Given this demand, we believe that offering a higher number of smaller sized allotments (similar to Browning Street) will encourage active development and usage and thus helping stimulate the local economy through construction activity and employment."

Submissions to the application can be made up until 1 August.