New hope for 'day of mourning' site
SYDNEY — The National Aboriginal History and Heritage Council has welcomed announcement by the Heritage Council of a review of the decision to allow the demolition of the old Australian Hall — site of the historic 1938 "day of mourning" Aboriginal civil rights gathering.
The NAHHC is urging supporters to send a submission supporting the building's preservation to the council.
Last November, the NSW planning minister, Labor's Craig Knowles, issued a permanent conservation order (PCO 773) on the Cyprus-Hellene Club — including Australian Hall — in Elizabeth Street. He then immediately granted an exemption order, allowing the demolition of most of the building — barring the facade, which was judged to be of European heritage significance.
The NAHHC initiated legal proceedings to have the exemption order declared void, and the case is in the initial stages in the state Land and Environment Court.
Responding to the court case, and the overwhelming number of public submissions objecting to a recent development application for the site, the Heritage Council decided to review the decision exempting the site from conservation.
A notice from the Heritage Council published in the Sydney Morning Herald on September 24 announced the intention to recommend to Knowles that the exemption order be revoked, and called again for public submissions.
The NAHHC has outlined its position:
- The exemption order on the Cyprus-Hellene Club should be revoked.
- The building is of exceptional significance. Demolition or redevelopment should not be allowed.
- The entire building should be retained, and efforts made to purchase it to establish an Aboriginal History Centre.
- The building should not fall into disrepair. Therefore, the "standard exemption" normally granted for minor repairs and maintenance is acceptable.
The NAHHC is urging supporters to forward submissions to the council by October 24. The court case will continue in order to prevent future decisions allowing the building's demolition, and to strengthen the legal case for preservation.
Submissions should be marked "Cyprus-Hellene Club Review" and posted to the Heritage Council of NSW, Locked Bag 5020, Parramatta NSW 2124. For more information on the campaign, telephone the NAHHC on (02) 9212 5275.