From the attached letter from Minister Templeman, unfortunately, despite the original circumstances of purchase, the Shire of York is still considered to be the owner of St Patrick’s Convent School and therefore financially responsible for any restoration demanded. (That means the ratepayers!)
Although the Heritage Bill 2017 has yet to be passed, it certainly has a clause allowing Repair Orders to be issued against the owners for what is termed ‘demolition by neglect’.
It appears that the Heritage Council will be charged with both negotiating with, and pursuing if necessary, these owners to ensure that a State heritage listed building is made secure , structurally sound and weather tight.
It is admitted that the convent is listed on the State Register of Heritage Places as (#02879).
The term safe for public access has been omitted , but to ensure that the old convent building is secure, structurally sound and weather tight, independent experts claim will cost at least $1million.
Although the Heritage Bill 2017 has yet to be passed, it certainly has a clause allowing Repair Orders to be issued against the owners for what is termed ‘demolition by neglect’.
It appears that the Heritage Council will be charged with both negotiating with, and pursuing if necessary, these owners to ensure that a State heritage listed building is made secure , structurally sound and weather tight.
It is admitted that the convent is listed on the State Register of Heritage Places as (#02879).
The term safe for public access has been omitted , but to ensure that the old convent building is secure, structurally sound and weather tight, independent experts claim will cost at least $1million.
Mr Templeman was never asked to speculate about punitive action against the Shire of York. He was advised that the convent was currently in a state of unacceptable and possibly dangerous dilapidation and definitely structurally unsound.
In his role as Minister for Heritage, Templeman made a press statement that fines for non compliance would be $1 million and in addition, $50,000 per day for ‘demolition by neglect’ being for every day the building remains untouched.
As to be expected once again the Minister tries to place the onus on ratepayers and residents to ensure that their Shire Council appropriately cares for places considered important- like the convent.
That is not a responsibility which any community should be asked to undertake unless it is adequately informed, by the Minister for Heritage, of what is considered under the Heritage Bill 2017 to be places of importance.
And even more importantly-actually trusts its’ Shire Council to act in accordance with its wishes.
It is Minister Templeman’s duty to enact his legislation and ensure that the Heritage Council pursues all owners of buildings that that are being demolished by neglect. This also means being punished to the full letter of the law no matter who the owner is- if they fail to comply.
That is end of story.
David Taylor.
In his role as Minister for Heritage, Templeman made a press statement that fines for non compliance would be $1 million and in addition, $50,000 per day for ‘demolition by neglect’ being for every day the building remains untouched.
As to be expected once again the Minister tries to place the onus on ratepayers and residents to ensure that their Shire Council appropriately cares for places considered important- like the convent.
That is not a responsibility which any community should be asked to undertake unless it is adequately informed, by the Minister for Heritage, of what is considered under the Heritage Bill 2017 to be places of importance.
And even more importantly-actually trusts its’ Shire Council to act in accordance with its wishes.
It is Minister Templeman’s duty to enact his legislation and ensure that the Heritage Council pursues all owners of buildings that that are being demolished by neglect. This also means being punished to the full letter of the law no matter who the owner is- if they fail to comply.
That is end of story.
David Taylor.
“It’s important that ratepayers and residents work closely with their ‘Local Government’….”, is he taking the piss?
ReplyDeleteObviously Templeman has been swigging from the same bottle of loony juice as Brad Jolly, Jennifer Mathews, Jenni Law and David Morris were gagging on.
If either the ‘Local Government’ or its Big Brother - the Department of local Government had listened to the ratepayers and residents at the time, we wouldn’t be stuck with 650k of white elephant.
It’s not as if there were no disgruntled ratepayers and residents at the time, bootlessly trying to be heard. In actual fact, next the SITA fiasco, the purchase of the Chalkies building drew much public attention, but who listened, precisely, NO ONE!