The Bugle 26 August 2017
A fortnightly celebration of people and places on the Upper South Coast of NSW
Serving the communities of Kiama, Gerringong, Jamberoo, Kiama Downs, Minnamurra and Gerroa and now at www.thebugleonline.com
Saving our heritage in an era of development
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Jamberoo DCP update p3
Book sales go to Riding for the Disabled p3
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Inside this issue
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All too often modest domestic architecture is overlooked in an assessment of an area’s heritage until it is too late. The grander buildings in a region are more obvious in their claims to importance, achieving heritage listing in their own right. However, a labour of love over five years by a dedicated group has resulted in three residential streets becoming the first Heritage Conservation Area officially recognised in the Kiama Local Environmental Plan (LEP). The Pheasant Point Conservation Area, encompassing Fitzroy St, Devonshire St and a portion of Minnamurra St is part of the origi-
nal William Gard Estate (see page 7 for details and photos of the area). This is a case when the importance of the largely intact group of buildings contributes to the value of the whole. All the dwellings, the unique streetscape and the original 1870s subdivision with its narrow lanes remain basically unchanged and represent a unique physical record of the basalt boom period of Kiama’s history. The listing on the LEP provides statutory protection for this unique 19th century area from unsympathetic development now and in the future. The recent sale of a house
A photo of the Area taken from the top of Minnamurra St, circa 1893
in Devonshire St for over $1 million shows that heritage listing can no longer be seen as detracting from a property’s value. While demolition is not an option, and extensions and alterations must not detract from the heritage significance of a building, owners still have the ability to make sympathetic improvements. The precinct was given National Trust listing in 2013. Having the Trust’s backing gave crucial support to listing the Pleasant Point Heritage Conservation Area on Kiama Council’s LEP. Continued on page 7
Time to afford more protection to Manning St With the northern end of Manning St attracting several DAs that Kiama Council has determined as an over-development of their sites, Chair of the Central Kiama Precinct Committee Peter O’Neil believes protection of the area needs to be strengthened. “This streetscape contains the finest collection of civic, religious and commercial buildings, not just in Kiama, but in the whole of the Illawarra,” he says. “It encompasses the northern block of Manning St (from Shoalhaven St), plus
the eastern end of Terralong St through to Shoalhaven St. Any new construction should be considered part of this iconic streetscape, not as an isolated development.” With most of the midcentury commercial buildings in the area tired and run down it is expected that over the next few years most will demolished to make way for new buildings. The 2002 Kiama Town Centre Charrette states that ‘It is important that the Precinct’s heritage be conContinued on page 7
Concerns over Akuna St development p4 Jamberoo wins Minor Premiership p5