weekender the western
Printed on 100% recycled paper
FRI 8 AUG 2014 • Issue 1165
Kingswood burns
PROUDLY INDEPENDENT
Business Advice, tips and profiles on the best local businesses p.30-31
Fernhill of the future Mulgoa icon’s future in Council’s hands after master plan submitted CASSANDRA O’CONNOR
Many questions to be answered Pages 3 and 5
Gold for Penrith at Games p.40
Station upgrade All aboard as new look is confirmed p.13
@cassandra_o
T
he future of Fernhill Estate now rests in the hands of Penrith City Council. The Weekender can reveal that on Monday a revised master plan for the historic site at Mulgoa was submitted to Council after the original plans were withdrawn earlier this year. Fernhill is presently controlled by Angas Securities, as mortgagee in possession, which has managed the Estate since 2012 after it was placed in receivership in 2010. Angas entered into a joint venture with Simon and Brenda Tripp to consolidate the core part of the Estate and develop two peripheral precincts to secure the estate and remove it from the receivers. “Fernhill faces a number of conservation and management issues such as the cost of maintaining the property and preserving the heritage buildings,” Brenda Tripp said. “Without a viable plan there will be pressure to break up the Estate and we are concerned that the main building and outlying buildings will again fall into disrepair. “The applications lodged with Council present the opportunity to determine a significant heritage outcome that guarantees conservation and protection of the Estate into perpetuity. This is particularly significant as pressure builds over time for development in greater western Sydney.” Elements of the new master plan include guaranteed funding for conservation of heritage items under a Voluntary Planning Agreement and Trust Fund, a new Conservation Management Plan, and Biobanking of 66 per cent of the Estate. Story continues on » p. 8
Brenda Tripp looks over the plans for Fernhill’s future on Wednesday. Photo: Melinda Jane
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