Heritage listing the whole of Carrington Park and majority of Young High School will have "limited impact" on the proposed new joint-use library site, according to a report prepared for councillors.
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Hilltops council at its April meeting agreed to support the heritage listing of the site of the Lambing Flat anti-Chinese riots and association banner.
A state heritage listing would not "impede the development" of the new library as it is deemed state significant, the report states, despite the fact it would be constructed within a potentially state heritage precinct.
Cr Chris Manchester said it could "open up a can of worms".
"I know it's mentioned in there that it shouldn't have an impact on the library. I'm a little bit concerned that it may somewhere down the track have an impact, and we probably don't need any reason to open up a can of worms with the further development of the library," Cr Manchester said.
The report tabled to councillors says the proposed heritage nomination includes the whole of Carrington Park, the majority of the Young High School campus, part of Young TAFE, and surrounding streetscapes of Caple Street, Ripon Street, and Campbell Street.
Under advice from council's heritage consultant, councilors agreed to support the listing subject to the removal of the connecting road structures.
"As an experienced heritage professional, I am concerned about the extension of the SHR [state heritage register] boundary into the streets adjoining the listing," council's heritage advisor Ray Christison penned in a letter to council.
"I consider it unfair to place any of the neighbouring organisations at risk of requiring additional due diligence on projects merely because their properties front the extended curtilage of an SHR listing. While the extension of the SHR boundary seems well intentioned, I fear that it may have long-term consequences for owners and managers of adjoining properties."
Many councillors asked for more information regarding certain buildings and items included and not included in the proposed heritage listing.
General manager Anthony O'Reilly reminded councillors they were only endorsing a submission, and the final say would be out of their hands.
"The submission that was proposed was to take out the road structure because of essentially the electricity and telephones, you don't want that hanging over you. In principle, the people within council didn't see an issue with that per se which was the recommendation. It's not something we can control, it is only a submission. Notwithstanding whatever submission we make, certainly we will bring back that information for you to make a more fully informed decision about what the submission of this council is, it is just a submission so we don't control this at this point. They will determine it," Mr O'Reilly said.
The Heritage Council of NSW makes a recommendation to the Minister who has the final decision.
The submission period has closed, however council received an extension beyond April's meeting.
Full details of the nomination of Lambing Flat anti-Chinese riot site and associated banner can be found on Office of Heritage NSW website through the below link - https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=5 066415
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