The first stage of works focused on the bluestone pediment on the northern, eastern and southern facades; the bluestone façade on the Legislative Council wing, the render of the eastern façade of the incomplete southern wing, the render of the lift and the repair of the sandstone facades of the light court at the entrance to the breezeway. This scope was developed as a pilot program, with access to the subject area able to be readily provided and considered low risk to the Parliament of Victoria. The works enabled the staging and project delivery processes to be established and evaluated prior to addressing the more critical facades.

The proposed scope of repairs for this stage were developed with the advice of Julian Horman Heritage Architects, utilising their knowledge and expertise to address the bluestone and sandstone facades, as well as repairing windows and doors in the subject area. Works on this stage continued a methodology established on previous projects on the building and drew upon knowledge from other restoration projects around Melbourne. Repairs included substantial mortar repairs and stainless-steel flashing to cornices, both repair methodologies that were re-evaluated during Stage 2, with repairs later replaced as part of the final stage of works.

The works for this stage were put out to tender, seeking a capable contractor to undertake the stone repairs. O’Connor and Sons were successful in this initial tender and established an ongoing relationship with the Department of Parliamentary Services.