Update

National Trust News

Catch up on the latest heritage and advocacy news in NSW. Read about the new works at Everglades House & Gardens and the National Trust's efforts to restore Sydney bushland. Stay up to date on the progress of heritage-threatening development proposals at Barangaroo, Central Station and Parramatta.

GENERAL NEWS

Conservation work begins

Thanks to the generosity of everyone who donated to our recent Everglades House & Gardens appeal, we’ve now begun important conservation work on the Art Deco house. The conservation team has started drafting architectural plans, inspecting plaster murals and testing the finishes of the original timber-veneer joinery. And there’s much more to do, including constructing original furniture designs, sourcing textiles for window coverings and identifying original paint colours. We’ll keep you updated as this heritage icon is transformed over the coming months.

National Trust volunteers recognised

Congratulations to Doug Werner and Rosalie Bush, recently recognised in the 2022 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards. A volunteer and Deputy Chair at Harper’s Mansion in Berrima, Doug was named senior volunteer of the year in the Illawarra region. Rosalie Bush scooped up the award for Southern Inland senior volunteer of the year for her work at Cooma Cottage in Yass. The effort of hundreds of volunteers like Doug and Rosalie make it possible to bring our places to life. If you’d like to join them, visit nationaltrust.org.au/Volunteers-nsw

Creating a greener Sydney

The National Trust is part of the global fight to tackle biodiversity loss. In 2022 the bushland management team was out making Sydney a cleaner, greener place, tackling invasive weeds and restoring native bushland at Malabar Wetlands, Tamarama Gully, the New South Wales Golf Club and many more places across the State. More important bushland restoration is also planned for 2023. Find out more about the National Trust’s bushland work at nationaltrust.org.au/services/bushland-management

ADVOCACY NEWS

Minister rejects proposal

Following immense community backlash, including a dedicated National Trust campaign, the NSW Premier has stated that the most recent proposed design modification for Central Barangaroo is unacceptable due to its impact on the public domain and historic views. We will continue to work to ensure a new design protects the important heritage aspects of this location, allowing Millers Point and Observatory Hill to retain their significant and historic views to Sydney Harbour.

Central Station battle continues

The National Trust recently campaigned against a rezoning proposal for Sydney’s Central Station precinct. If approved, the rezoning will allow overdevelopment of the State heritage-listed precinct, with plans to enclose all country platforms and build high-rise towers over the railway lines. These proposals would destroy the distinctive character, memory and outdoor connections of Central’s Grand Concourse and diminish views of the clock tower and station. We await the response of the NSW Government.

Hambledon Cottage at risk

A proposed development directly behind historic Hambledon Cottage at Harris Park will have an overwhelmingly negative impact on both the cottage setting and its surrounding cultural landscape. The proposal further compromises the setting of Hambledon Cottage by severing its view lines to two other highly significant, early-colonial Parramatta sites – Elizabeth Farm Cottage and Experiment Farm Cottage. The NSW government is currently reviewing the development application. We’ll keep you updated on the response.

Opposite from top Everglades House & Gardens (National Trust image); volunteer Rosalie Bush guiding visitors at Cooma Cottage (SGR Photo image); the bushland management team (National Trust image).

From top Public views down to Barangaroo (National Trust image); Central Station (photo by Photon-Photos, iStock.com); Hambledon Cottage (National Trust image).

Want more news and updates?

Get our latest news, events and special offers delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up to our e-newsletter at nationaltrust.org.au/enews-nsw