Minutes of Bronte Beach Precinct
Wednesday 20th October 2010 at the Lugar Brae Hall at 8pm
Number present –37
Apologies Councillor Main
Previous Minutes were passed Proposer VMilson and Seconder J.HInton
Guest speaker was Kate Clark, Director of the Historic House Trust.
She gave a quick summary and short visual presentation of many of the properties the HHT has in its care. These included:
Vaucluse House well worth a visit for the kitchen garden and heritage vegies. Also the kitchen has been made more interesting
Elizabeth Bay House
Elizabeth Farm house at Parramatta
Government House
Maroogal House at Nowra
Susannah Place at the Rocks
Rose Seidler House
Hyde Park Barracks
The Irish memorial
Justice and Police Museum
The HHT buys old houses at risk from its Endangered Houses Fund. These are then renovated/preserved then either leased or sold. Examples include “Glenfield” an 1815 house at Casula. Nissan Huts – 50’s immigration housing. Moruya House, and Exeter Farm, a slab style house. Beulah at Appin and Throsby Park at Moss Vale. The HHT is not a charity and has to pay it’s way but does receive government grants which is added to through fundraising.
Kate mentioned 7th November as open day for many of the Trust’s buildings particularly those in the city. Also Jazz in November at Vaucluse House. Kate also mentioned that opening houses to the public brings little in renumeration. Therefore some form of endowment is needed when houses are donated. Questions included whether the Trust service extends to private people. Kate advised that the Trust does not give heritage advice to private owners but pointed out that the Caroline Simpson Library in the Mint is an excellent resource for research. Also when properties are sold by the HHT there are heritage agreements placed on them. Ninety year leases are in place if properties are not sold. The audience thanked Kate for her presentation and showed considerable appreciation and interest in the historic buildings.
DA discussion
50-54 Macpherson St
Virginia Milson gave a summary of the DA so far. The perceived height due to the extra floor for the shop flats was cited and the appearance of the western (Lugar St) side of the building. Concern was expressed as to whether this was in keeping with the heritage status of the building or whether it would not conform with the character of the original building. There was discussion relating to the balcony and whether there is evidence of previous structures and to what extent the balcony should be restored like the original one there in the 1850s.
12 Lugar St
An update was provided. The current position is that the applicant is looking into the possibility of preserving the front of the building and gaining access from the units behind in order to construct a separate building to the rear with its own access.
A demolition order has been approved by Council and the Precinct was hopeful some arrangement for keeping the building would result.
407,Rocky Mount, Bronte Rd
This was discussed briefly but required an updated shot of what is proposed for the front wall and garage. The property is heritage listed and concern was raised that the heritage of the property could be undermined.To be continued at the next meeting.
Waverley Council’s proposed rate increase
An independent commentary was given by Ray Johnson on Council’s “Together 2” process for raising rates. Waverley Council is using public discussions and a survey to improve its case for a rate increase to the State Government. Apparently the GM believes Council may get a rise of 12%. Paul Pearce has said that if Council is seen to consult it will probably get the rise. Ray thought the process needed to be more independent. Conducting a survey running parallel to consultation seemed a bit odd. It seems that at the lowest end of the increase 8.7% or an increase of $1.50pw. At the upper end of the increase 14% would mean $2.46pw both over a 12 year period. Ray was not opposed to a rate rise but believed that Council should be transparent and more consultative in its decision making process. And Council should endeavour to find out why so few residents attend special days such as ‘Have Your Say’ when only 10 people attended on one of the nights with a similar attendance on a similar day.
The meeting closed at 9.40pm