A SIGNIFICANT ITEM OF HERITAGE AND HISTORY IS BEING DESTROYED AND CHILDREN PUT AT RISK

Re:  Development Application 382/2014, “Tarella” 3 Amherst Street, Cammeray, NSW.

The above proposal for works on the house and garden to accommodate its use as a day care facility for 80 babies and children up to 5 years old (plus staff) has twice been rejected by North Sydney Council and the Office of Environment and Heritage and also by the North Sydney Independent Planning Panel.  The Applicant took the matter to the Land and Environment Court and has twice submitted amended plans. 

The most recent revised plans remain insensitive to the fact that “Tarella” is State Heritage Registered, listed by the National Trust and in the North Sydney Local Environment Plan 2013 (Heritage Item No.1001).  This beautiful house with its formal gardens was constructed between 1874 – 1886.  It was the home of Sir Joseph Palmer Abbott, K.C.M.G., a former speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and a participant in the convention that developed the Australian Constitution. Sir Joseph was an important public figure of the 19th century.

Tarella is of great historical significance and is described as “an item of environmental heritage and is considered a rare type of place locally, and aesthetically and socially representative for the region”.  It is one of the few remaining gentleman’s residences on the lower north shore and is probably the last remaining villa in Cammeray designed in the Victorian Italianate architectural style. It is one of the earliest buildings established in the vicinity and one of the earliest still in existence.

It was the site of many important political gatherings. Sir Joseph was Speaker of the House of Representatives for a record 11 years (1890-1900), and NSW delegate to the National Australian [Federation] Convention in 1891. He continued to work for Federation through 1892- 96, and was elected a delegate to the 1897-98 Federal Convention. There are several newspaper accounts (See, for instance, Sydney Mail and NSW Advertiser, 25 September, 1897) of a garden party given at Tarella in honour of the Convention delegates to the Sydney meeting.

The adaptation necessary to meet childcare centre requirements will destroy the heritage value of the house and its gardens. A valuable State heritage and National Trust listed property will be compromised permanently and lost to our history and future generations.

Locating a childcare centre on this already extremely busy and congested street with no off-street parking available for parents to drop off and pick up their children will place the children, parents, local residents, all pedestrians and motorists at greatly increased risk of injury or death.  Furthermore, the proposed plan to utilise the one-lane Tarella Place which adjoins the property to evacuate children, residents in the cul-de-sac adjoining the rear of “Tarella” and access for emergency vehicles is dangerously unworkable.

There would also be an unacceptable impact on the visual and acoustic privacy of residents in the adjoining apartments buildings which overlook “Tarella”.

Since “Tarella” has been leased, it has been allowed to fall into a state of disrepair which has attracted vandalism and a break in with police attending on both occasions.  “Tarella” is at risk of “demolition by neglect” and despite North Sydney Council issuing a local government order to repair and maintain the property, the garden remains overgrown with tree branches falling into 1 Amherst Street, graffiti has not been removed or fences restored.  I have advice that there is a requirement that an unoccupied heritage home must be secured against fire, however, police found the door at the rear of the building unlocked when investigating the recent report of intruders observed around the house. 

The proposed revisions still fail to address the key issues of impact on the heritage value of the property, increased traffic congestion, lack of available parking, safety concerns, destruction of local residents’ amenity and quality of life.  

We need as many objections as possible which will then help influence the Land and Environment Court decision.  

Objections may be lodged by 26 March by post to Warwick Winn, General Manager, PO Box 12, North Sydney 2059 or marked to his attention via email to <council@northsydney.nsw.gov.au>