The Department of Defence is considering opening Fortuna Villa for public inspection before vacating the property, likely in September or October, as part of community consultation. The City of Greater Bendigo and the Brumby Government will have the first opportunity to bid on the property before it is offered on the open market. There is significant uncertainty about the property's value, with multiple valuation methods resulting in differences of millions of dollars. After the Defence Department vacates, the property will be assessed by heritage experts, architects, surveyors, and engineers to determine necessary work for sale readiness.The Defence Department will conduct an audit and coordinate with the local council before finalizing sale preparations. The Villa Fortuna Action Group is actively monitoring the process and engaging with the community, emphasizing that progress is slow but ongoing.Maggie Maguire, CEO of Abbotsford Convent Foundation, spoke at a public meeting, drawing parallels between the efforts to preserve Villa Fortuna and similar heritage battles in Melbourne.Fortuna Article - "Villa May Open to the Public" - The Bendigo Miner Thursday Jul 10 2008 - Author Nino Bucci, photos Nick McGrath This item contains the following: 11217.12a Colour Photo of Maggie Maguire at the Villa Fortuna Action Group public meeting 11217.12b Colour Photo of the Villa 11217.12c Part of page - Villa may Open to the Publicnon-fictionbendigo, fortuna, george lansell, villa fortuna action group public meeting, maggie maquire