The Cowes Jetty Goods Shed, built in 1873, was an essential structure that originally served mariners and locals as a secure storage space for goods arriving by sea.

The historical Cowes Jetty Goods Shed building is currently in review with an exciting opportunity to reimagine its future. Council would like to consider the community’s vision of the space and ask what you want to see there!

Submit your suggestions below, open now until 2 March 2025.

There are three options for you to leave your feedback. Feel free to participate in 1 or all of these online engagement tools.

The Cowes Jetty Goods Shed is a significant site in Bass Coast’s history. The Phillip Island Historical Society explained:

The goods shed on the Cowes Jetty stands as a landmark in the history of Phillip Island, symbolising a vital link to the past when sea travel was the sole means of connection between the island and the mainland. This simple yet essential structure served both the community and the mariners by providing a safe storage space for goods and equipment. Its role was indispensable, particularly when islanders relied heavily on goods brought by sea—everything from household supplies to materials for local industries. For mariners, the shed provided a secure place to store their gear, protecting it from the elements and readying it for the frequent journeys back and forth across the water.

The origins of the goods shed highlight the community’s pressing needs in the 1870s, a time when isolation made every supply drop essential. Designed with a distinctive bow roof—a characteristic that would come to be both locally and historically treasured—the goods shed became a rare example of nineteenth-century industrial architecture. Today, it is celebrated not only for its functionality but as a rare architectural piece, holding state and local heritage value as one of the last of its kind.

Beyond its physical structure, the goods shed stands as a tangible reminder of a period when Phillip Island’s connection to the mainland and the wider world was tenuous and completely dependent on maritime transport. For the community, this shed is more than a historical building; it embodies an era of close community ties and reliance on the sea for survival.

Over the years, the Cowes Jetty Goods Shed has had many uses. With the site currently vacant, Council has an exciting opportunity to reimagine what the space can offer for 2025 and into the future, with input from the community.

The Cowes Jetty Goods Shed is approximately 63m2, with access to water and electricity.

Council will evaluate your feedback and gain an understanding of the wants and needs of community for the preferred use of the Cowes Jetty Goods Shed. We will ensure the proposed uses of the space align with community values, the Cowes Activity Centre Plan 2014 and Council’s Property Policy.

Your feedback will play a key role in developing a comprehensive EOI for a long–term tenancy agreement that reflects the desired use of the space.