James Gorman March 05, 2015
The sell-off of Millers Point has been deemed the most devastating attack on Australia’s heritage since the precinct was saved by the Green Bans movement in the 1960s.
Almost 300 heritage properties will eventually be sold under the State Government’s contested revenue raising scheme which will see social housing tenants forcibly removed from their generational homes to make way for wealthy investors.
“Australia’s rare heritage provides a vital ‘sense of place’ for communities,” Mr Scarsbrick.
“Selling off heritage buildings, some dating back to 1820 (only 32 years after the First Fleet arrived), with no contractual heritage protection, exposes that precious heritage to destruction and loss.”
“Already a third of the properties sold in the ‘test sale’ are subject to unauthorised works and Sydney City Council has issued stop work notices.”
Director of Advocacy, National Trust, Graham Quint likened the sale of Millers Point to the historical heritage features across the globe.
“You just could not imagine the area of Montmartre in Paris being sold off without heritage protection, the old town centre of Prague or Bath in England being sold off and damaged,” Mr Quint said.
“It is happening right now in Sydney’s old quarter.
“History shows that selling properties in The Rocks area on 99 year leases results in only a five per cent — 10 per cent discount and the assets can return to the public estate at a greatly increased value after the lease expires.”
Minister for Heritage Rob Stokes said he was satisfied with the process being used to sell-off the heritage precinct.
“I am satisfied that the heritage provisions currently in place are adequate, as Heritage Council approval is required for any changes that effect the physical fabric of the place, including the buildings themselves,” Mr Stokes said.
The Heritage Council can refuse consent, or choose to impose any conditions to an approval, if given.
“Furthermore, Conservation Management Guidelines for the properties have been in place for several years. The Office of Environment and Heritage has also asked the Land & Housing Corporation to commission new urban design policies to ensure that any repairs or restorations that may occur in the future recognise and protect the heritage values of the precinct.
“In addition, Conservation Management Plans for the properties offered for sale have been prepared and subsequently reviewed and endorsed by the Heritage Council.
“In addition to each of these protections, potential future owners will also have to meet the standards applied in the Sydney Local Environmental Plan, as well as addressing the detailed heritage issues contained within the Heritage Development Control Plan, before submitting any proposal for repair or restoration that requires Council consent.”
RESOURRCED: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/city-east/national-trust-says-sale-of-millers-point-will-devastate-australias-heritage/story-fngr8h22-1227249422380
The sell-off of Millers Point has been deemed the most devastating attack on Australia’s heritage since the precinct was saved by the Green Bans movement in the 1960s.
Almost 300 heritage properties will eventually be sold under the State Government’s contested revenue raising scheme which will see social housing tenants forcibly removed from their generational homes to make way for wealthy investors.
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| Homes at 121 and 94 Kent Street, and 44 and 58 Argyle Place in Millers Point. Ninety-nine year leases are being auctioned for the homes to raise money for new public housing. Source: News Limited |
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| The NSW State Government plans to sell off nearly 300 public housing properties in and around Millers Point, angering local residents and public housing residents, many of whom have been long time occupants. Source: News Corp Australia |
National Trust of Australia (NSW) CEO Brian Scarsbrick warns the heritage buildings, some of which date back to 1820, are being sold with no contractual heritage protection. He sates all political parties should state their policy on this issue highlighting the nine properties which have already gone under the hammer.
“Australia’s rare heritage provides a vital ‘sense of place’ for communities,” Mr Scarsbrick.
“Selling off heritage buildings, some dating back to 1820 (only 32 years after the First Fleet arrived), with no contractual heritage protection, exposes that precious heritage to destruction and loss.”
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| Millers Point residents Liz Henderson and daughter Elisha, who fear being forced out of their Department of Housing home as the government starts to sell off the valuable public properties in The Rocks area. Source: News Corp Australia |
“We are deeply alarmed at the damage facing the 293 State heritage listed properties located at Millers Point”
“Already a third of the properties sold in the ‘test sale’ are subject to unauthorised works and Sydney City Council has issued stop work notices.”
Director of Advocacy, National Trust, Graham Quint likened the sale of Millers Point to the historical heritage features across the globe.
 |
| Director of Advocacy, National Trust, Graham Quint said Millers Point must be protected Source: News Limited |
“You just could not imagine the area of Montmartre in Paris being sold off without heritage protection, the old town centre of Prague or Bath in England being sold off and damaged,” Mr Quint said.
“It is happening right now in Sydney’s old quarter.
“History shows that selling properties in The Rocks area on 99 year leases results in only a five per cent — 10 per cent discount and the assets can return to the public estate at a greatly increased value after the lease expires.”
Minister for Heritage Rob Stokes said he was satisfied with the process being used to sell-off the heritage precinct.
“I am satisfied that the heritage provisions currently in place are adequate, as Heritage Council approval is required for any changes that effect the physical fabric of the place, including the buildings themselves,” Mr Stokes said.
 |
| Minister Rob Stokes defends the Millers Point sale Source: News Corp Australia |
“Furthermore, Conservation Management Guidelines for the properties have been in place for several years. The Office of Environment and Heritage has also asked the Land & Housing Corporation to commission new urban design policies to ensure that any repairs or restorations that may occur in the future recognise and protect the heritage values of the precinct.
“In addition, Conservation Management Plans for the properties offered for sale have been prepared and subsequently reviewed and endorsed by the Heritage Council.
 |
| Terrace houses in Merriman Street in The Rocks, Sydney, which belong the Department of Housing. The state government is starting to sell off the valuable public properties in The Rocks and Millers Point. Source: News Corp Australia |
“While s118 of the Heritage Act requires each owner of a State Heritage Register property to meet extensive standards of maintenance and repair, the Land & Housing Corporation has also inserted a further condition that purchasers must agree to a maintenance schedule for each property, a condition that goes beyond Heritage Act requirements.
“In addition to each of these protections, potential future owners will also have to meet the standards applied in the Sydney Local Environmental Plan, as well as addressing the detailed heritage issues contained within the Heritage Development Control Plan, before submitting any proposal for repair or restoration that requires Council consent.”
RESOURRCED: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/city-east/national-trust-says-sale-of-millers-point-will-devastate-australias-heritage/story-fngr8h22-1227249422380
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