PART ONE - Campbelltown City Council - NSW Government

Planning and Environment Committee Meeting 5 April 2011 Page 812.7 Campbelltown Heritage Study And Register ReviewItem Observed Threatening Process Recommended ActionEpping ForestOld St John’sCatholicChurchOld St John’sCatholicCemeterySt Peter’sAnglicanCemeteryMethodist/CongregationalCemeterySevere neglect. The building isfenced off and appears to beunoccupied. The property was notedas vacant on 28 June 1999(Heritage Council SHI form). Someof the brickwork at the rear is in astate of collapse. The house is on alarge site, but is now surrounded bymodern suburbia and is therefore atrisk of vandalism.Although extensive restoration workshave been carried out in recentyears, the building is now vacantand the roof has begun to failallowing pigeons to roost in theceilings. This in turn is allowingpigeon droppings to build up in theroof space and to fall down into thehall. The space is regarded as ahealth hazard and is not used.The 19 th Century cemeteries ofCampbelltown are of very highhistorical significance to the area,reflected in their heritage listing. Allof these cemeteries are in need ofbetter management, for example,fencing to prevent vandalism, weedmanagement etc. It is noted that StPeter’s Cemetery has received aFederal heritage grant of $44,000 forfencing.As this early 19 th Century property is listed on the SHR, Council shouldconsult both the property owner and the NSW Heritage Council toconsider options to ensure the conservation of the buildings on theproperty. These could include: Encourage the owner to apply for a heritage grant to update theConservation Management Plan prepared in 2000 and undertakeurgent conservation works (note due to the State significance ofthe property, it is recommended that the grant be sought from theHeritage Council, rather than the Campbelltown City Councilheritage fund); Consult with the NSW Heritage Council regarding enforcement ofthe “minimum maintenance” provisions applying to State HeritageRegister Listed properties; An active residential (or other sympathetic) use should be foundfor the site.As this early 19 th Century property is listed on the SHR, Council shouldconsult both the Church and the NSW Heritage Branch to consideroptions to ensure the conservation of the church building.It is understood that policies applying at the time of the earlierrestoration prevented the introduction of active security devices (suchas bars on windows) which led to vandalism and the withdrawal ofinsurance on the building, affecting its potential for active use. Themanagement of security for heritage items such as old churches hasimproved significantly in the interim and the Church owners areencouraged to seek a solution that includes an active use for thebuilding.It is recommended that Campbelltown City Council encourage theChurch to apply for State heritage grants to repair the roof and remedydamage from roof leaks and pigeon ingress as an immediate priority.The building should be a prime candidate for financial assistance andthe work could assist in providing local employment.Encourage the Church to apply for a heritage grant to prepare andimplement the Conservation Management Plan for the site. Thisprocess should highlight the importance of this early site to thecommunity and to the Church as a whole.Subject to available funding and resources, Council should assist thechurches with appropriate conservation management of thecemeteries. The following options are suggested:Request the National Trust Cemeteries Committee to view thecemeteries and provide management advice to the relevantchurch cemetery management authorities via a Council facilitatedworkshop;Encourage the relevant cemetery management bodies to apply forheritage grants. Given St Peter’s success, it is considered that allthe cemeteries should apply for Federal and State heritage grants,using “Historic Cemeteries of Campbelltown – a Macquarie Town”as an umbrella title; and/orCouncil apply for a NSW heritage grant to undertake aConservation Management Plan (CMP) for all four cemeteries.This would require cooperation of the four churches.PresbyterianCemeteryOld Kendall MillHouseThe building has been fire damagedand is disused.Encourage the property owners to work with Council to better managethe building and the site. This could include making an application toCouncil’s Heritage Fund for assistance in undertaking conservationwork to the building and then seeking an active use compatible withthe recommended Cultural Tourism zone (for this part of theCampbelltown CBD).