James Gorman June 18, 2015
THE first buyers of Millers Point public housing are wasting no time in planning their dream homes, with two development applications currently before the City of Sydney.
A $784,696 DA for 11 Lower Fort St and a $350,000 DA for 30 Argyle Place have both been lodged in recent weeks.
Lower Fort St sold at auction for $3.95 million in October, while the Argyle Place home sold for $1.71 million in November.
The owner of the Lower Fort St property plans “internal reconfiguration, restoration works, demolition of existing outbuilding at rear and construction of a new single storey addition to courtyard.”
The plans for 30 Argyle Place include “internal refurbishment and conservation works throughout and rear single storey addition at lower ground level to courtyard”.
As well as council approval, both plans also require the approval of the Heritage Division of the Office of Environment and Heritage.
A DOZEN MILLERS POINT HOMES HIT THE MARKET
STRUGGLE STREET IN CENTRAL SYDNEY
Unlike the public housing sold for 99-year leases under the former Labor government, these acquisitions and those subsequent are freehold, resulting in reduced heritage restrictions in terms of renovations.
Sydney State MP Alex Greenwich suspected the big sales prices achieved by the Millers Point properties to date may have been influenced by the State Government’s decision to switch to a freehold sale.
“When you sell a property freehold you don’t have the same enforcement powers. Based on the size of these DAs hopefully that indicates the buyers value heritage and will restore the properties accordingly.
“I am not sure why the State Government changed the lease for the Millers Point sale. They could have put the restrictions on but then that could have impacted the sale price.”
A spokeswoman from the Office of Environment and Heritage said even under a freehold sale, owners were required to seek approval for renovations from the Heritage Council of NSW.
“No 11 Lower Fort Street and No 30 Argyle Place were sold with a Conservation Management Plan endorsed by the Heritage Council of NSW (the Heritage Council) under Section 38A of the Heritage Act 1977 (the Act),” the spokeswoman said.
“Owners of properties listed on the State Heritage Register have responsibilities under the Act. They are required to seek the approval from the Heritage Council of NSW for most development or work carried out on the property.
“Land and Housing Corporation has sought and received endorsement for a number of exemptions for minor works within Millers Point.”
Millers Point public housing resident Barney Gardner, whose home could be sold in the State Government sell-off, stressed the importance of maintaining the precinct’s historic values.
“If you take all of the resident away, Millers Point will lose its identity and if you take the heritage values of these properties away then you will lose a piece of Sydney’s history.”
A Deparment of Family & Community Services spokesman said efforts were being made to protect the heritage of Millers Point.
“The NSW Government continues to work closely with the Heritage Council of NSW to ensure heritage values are maintained,” a spokesman said.
TELL US: WILL HERITAGE VALUES BY KEPT IN MILLERS POINT AS THE RENOVATIONS BEGIN?
“The provision of new social housing will mean that more families in desperate need on the social housing waiting list can get secure, affordable housing.
“Millers Point sales proceeds are being put into the social housing system and approximately 1500 dwellings are forecast to be funded from these sales.”
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| The Development Proposal notification has been pinned to the front fence at 11 Lower Fort St. Source: News Corp Australia |
A $784,696 DA for 11 Lower Fort St and a $350,000 DA for 30 Argyle Place have both been lodged in recent weeks.
Lower Fort St sold at auction for $3.95 million in October, while the Argyle Place home sold for $1.71 million in November.
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| The Lower Fort St terrace features spectactular harbour views.... Source: Supplied |
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| ...but its interiors are basic... Source: Supplied |
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...and the yard could do with some landscaping. Source: Supplied
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As well as council approval, both plans also require the approval of the Heritage Division of the Office of Environment and Heritage.
A DOZEN MILLERS POINT HOMES HIT THE MARKET
STRUGGLE STREET IN CENTRAL SYDNEY
Unlike the public housing sold for 99-year leases under the former Labor government, these acquisitions and those subsequent are freehold, resulting in reduced heritage restrictions in terms of renovations.
Sydney State MP Alex Greenwich suspected the big sales prices achieved by the Millers Point properties to date may have been influenced by the State Government’s decision to switch to a freehold sale.
“When you sell a property on a 99-year lease the owners are charged with protecting the heritage values of that property or they risk losing that lease,” he said.
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| Independent State MP for Sydney Alex Greenwich. Source: News Corp Australia |
“I am not sure why the State Government changed the lease for the Millers Point sale. They could have put the restrictions on but then that could have impacted the sale price.”
A spokeswoman from the Office of Environment and Heritage said even under a freehold sale, owners were required to seek approval for renovations from the Heritage Council of NSW.
“No 11 Lower Fort Street and No 30 Argyle Place were sold with a Conservation Management Plan endorsed by the Heritage Council of NSW (the Heritage Council) under Section 38A of the Heritage Act 1977 (the Act),” the spokeswoman said.
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| A DA has also been submitted for 30 Argyle Pl. Source: News Corp Australia |
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| The kitchen at 30 Argyle Pl. Source: Supplied |
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| Like many of the old Millers Point properties, the home requires plenty of work. Source: Supplied |
“Land and Housing Corporation has sought and received endorsement for a number of exemptions for minor works within Millers Point.”
Millers Point public housing resident Barney Gardner, whose home could be sold in the State Government sell-off, stressed the importance of maintaining the precinct’s historic values.
“If you take all of the resident away, Millers Point will lose its identity and if you take the heritage values of these properties away then you will lose a piece of Sydney’s history.”
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Millers Point public housing activist Barney Gardner. Source: News Corp Australia
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TELL US: WILL HERITAGE VALUES BY KEPT IN MILLERS POINT AS THE RENOVATIONS BEGIN?
“The provision of new social housing will mean that more families in desperate need on the social housing waiting list can get secure, affordable housing.
“Millers Point sales proceeds are being put into the social housing system and approximately 1500 dwellings are forecast to be funded from these sales.”
Protesters outside the first of the Millers Point auctions held last year.
