Update

National Trust News

Your essential update on the latest campaigns, appeals and initiatives to protect the heritage of New South Wales. In this edition, read about the recommendation to list the iconic Binishells, our 75th Anniversary celebrations and restorations underway at Saumarez. Plus, find out what’s happening with the review of the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW) and a proposed new hotel tower in Sydney.

GENERAL NEWS

Binishells Recommended

The Heritage Council of NSW has recommended to the Minister that the Binishells at Narrabeen North, Ashbury and Ku-Ring-Gai be listed on the State Heritage Register. The NSW Department of Education built fourteen of these unique ‘inflated’ concrete dome structures between 1974 and 1979 in schools across NSW in response to a growing demand for multi-purpose facilities. The National Trust nominated this representative collection for State listing in September 2018, and we support this recommendation.

75th Celebrations and Celebrities

We have welcomed many important guests to our 75th Anniversary celebrations. Guests include Aboriginal Elders, Ministers, Mayors, and Federal and Local Members of Parliament. Most recently, our Patron Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC Governor of New South Wales, joined us for a garden party at our beautiful harbourside property, Lindesay, Darling Point. More than 100 people from the local community and 50 of our dedicated volunteers also attended.

Works at Saumarez Underway

Works are underway at Saumarez Homestead in Armidale. These include installing new solar panels, repairing the roof and guttering of the visitors centre, and external painting. The roof repairs will allow water to be captured in the new water tanks installed as part of the works associated with the Ready for Rain Appeal. The solar panels will be a major boost to the sustainability credentials of this National Trust property.

ADVOCACY NEWS

52 Phillip Street Proposal

The National Trust is alarmed at a proposed 211m hotel tower that would overhang the former Public Works Department Building at 50 Phillip Street, which adjoins the Chief Secretary’s Building on Bridge Street. While some hotels have been inserted within historic buildings with varying degrees of sensitivity, such proposals need to achieve an appropriate response to state significant heritage. We will be working to ensure this most significant building is protected.

Heritage Act Review

The NSW Government has announced a review of the Heritage Act 1977. This very serious undertaking will have far-reaching implications for heritage protection in NSW. The review aims to invite community discussion on how heritage can be better managed and protected – something the National Trust has advocated for over 75 years. We intend to lead this community discussion and will be providing a detailed response to the review.

Cuttagee Bridge Reprieve

The National Trust was pleased to hear of the Bega Valley Shire Council’s decision not to proceed with the demolition of the heritage-listed Cuttagee Bridge and to undertake a proper heritage assessment. Following pressure from the local community and the National Trust, the Council resolved to establish a community advisory group and engage a heritage consultant to help determine the most appropriate course of action for this historic timber bridge.

Opposite from top Ku-Ring-Gai High School Binishell (photo by National Trust (NSW)); Annette Blinco – Chair of the Lindesay Management Committee, Governor of New South Wales – Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Glenys Nice – Chair of the Women’s Committee, and Debbie Mills – National Trust (NSW) CEO (photo by Anthony Basheer); The freshly painted Saumarez Centre, now prepared for new gutter and solar panel installation (photo by National Trust (NSW)). Above from top Proposed hotel cantilevering over the Chief Secretary’s Building (photo by 50 and 52 Phillip Street – SSD DA Stage1 Design Report); Gulgong, NSW, listed by the National Trust as an urban Conservation Area in 1981 (photo by the National Trust (NSW)); Protesters advocating to save the Cuttagee Bridge (photo by Save Cuttagee Bridge). WANT MORE NEWS AND UPDATES?

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