Story: Gail Galloway
Is heritage stifling development in Tenterfield? History comes with an expensive price tag. The Free Times investigates three case studies.
Tenterfield has a Heritage Advisory Committee which sees the interest of the town in keeping the old buildings standing. Certainly much of Tenterfield’s charm lies in its many character buildings. But where do you draw the line – especially if a building may simply be past it?
KLAS Accounting is an expanding main street business. They were hoping to house more staff by developing a new site in Manners Street next door to the Mitre 10 store.
The new office building would have required the demolition of a historic house. The application was first lodged in 2009 but, after much delay, was rejected with a reimbursement. According to director of environmental services John Hrobelko, the proposed colorbond building, “Just wasn’t good enough”.
But Kristen Lovett of KLAS claims it, the Manners Street development, “would have been a vast improvement in terms of tidiness and upkeep on what’s already there”.
The old residence was considered significant because it was the birthplace of WWI hero Oliver Woodward, recently famed by the “Beneath Hill 60” movie.
Ms Lovett said that the council’s initial response included many requests such as provisions for gardens for example, which were not part of the LEP but simply “in our opinion”, according to council staff.
“We have to go back and redesign – that’s where we are at now,” she told the Free Times. “When we asked for clarification as to what the LEP guidelines were, they told us to clarify our matters first. It just went around in a circle.”
The contracted builder, Brian Smith of BJS Constructions, believes the demand list was unreasonable. He says, “I’m all for preserving heritage but, if the council wants to save old buildings, they should put their hand in their pocket.
“They expected us to get a heritage assessment on the dwelling, which would have cost around $7000. Instead, we took the advice of the council’s (then) heritage consultant Richard Wesley.” Mr Smith described how he soon toted up an extensive list of requirements, “which we later discover were desirable, not mandatory items”.
Smith and Lovett argue that attracting new businesses to town is hard enough, notwithstanding the current financial climate. Developers have to be careful they are not overcapitalising. “I’m concerned about where this leaves us as a town,” Ms Lovett said.
Developer Phil Hannah from the Hannah Group learned the hard way when he undertook the building of Tenterfield Plaza, the town’s supermarket/shopping complex.
His development was held up in a protracted (18-month) wrangle and was forced to renovate (instead of demolish) the then derelict 1870 Peberdy House building. He says this involved $350,000 worth of heritage spending and he was not permitted to open his speciality shops until the job was completed. This was an extra impost for Hannah because Coles BiLo would only pay half rental until 50 per cent of the space was leased. The real kicker, according to Hannah, was that there was no heritage requirement on the premises before he applied for his DA. The demands that followed left a sour taste.
“Heritage buildings are expensive to repair, it’s not like fixing a 12-year-old place,” another local builder explained.
Peberdy is now a great show piece. The occupier – Margot Rees Antiques who was faithful to the restoration process, had a less than satisfying experience with Heritage Advisory Committee. She says, “They should do their homework before making proclamations.”
Furthermore, instead of being pleased with a new asset, six years on, certain councillors still quibble about the costs the council contributed (street upgrade) for that development.
Across the road, in Crown Street – heritage conservationists opposed the relocation of an old band hall to make way for RV parking. The hall is said to have contributed to the town’s musical history yet few, apart from the local gem club, get to see inside the place. Some, more musically inclined, say its significance could be better highlighted in another location, especially if it was re-invigorated as an actual band hall.
Architect Robert Perry says he will soon proceed with restoration of the old Retravision store on Rouse Street. The building turns 100 this year and began life as the Commercial Emporium. The original verandah will be reinstated. Perry is passionate about preserving the town’s historic streetscape and is behind “the Anzac Chapter” proposal, which is to make the town a living architectural monument. As yet the government has not responded to submissions made for the Anzac Centenary.
Perry and his partner are pursuing their own private ventures locally. The verandah project will be a costly business and, even though the move has the full endorsement of the council, “It is problematic because there is a power pole right out the front of the store that has to be removed before we can put up the verandah.” He says, “The council was supposed to negotiate with Country Energy to help make it happen.” That hasn’t eventuated. $20,000 later they are footing the bill themselves.
Yet Robert Perry has no problem with the local council. Tenterfield Shire does provide 50/50 contributions for smallscale heritage restoration like painting buildings. He believes it is State and Federal Governments that have let Tenterfield down on heritage matters. David Stewart from Tenterfield Shire says the council also has a heritage loan fund with low interest grants available for largescale projects like verandah reinstatements, but this has not been taken advantage of.
But even at low interest, investors are clearly reluctant to borrow extra.
For Brian Smith, though, it’s not just a case of the proverbial ‘putting money where the mouth is’. There is also a matter of double standards. “If they want buildings back to their original state, why then was the original Tenterfield Farriers in High Street allowed to be demolished? There’s just a plaque on a gravel paver there now and a bunch of colorbond storage sheds built behind it.
The council, meanwhile, is seeking the replacement of Mr Richard Wesley, who has held the position of ‘Heritage Adviser’ with the Shire for the last seven years. As a museum’s curator he had a useful role at the School of Arts. But as for the provision of architectural advice, it is now understood that this was an area of expertise not covered by his tertiary qualifications. Late last year he became Curator of the Maritime Museum in Hong Kong.
