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Sydney Morning Herald
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
2407msletters3
Coalition bulldozed heritage No one should be surprised at the lack of protection of heritage assets in NSW (' Heritage watchdog's database in woeful state ', July 24). The previous NSW government, with its thinly disguised contempt of all things heritage, made it a mission to eradicate any historic building or structure that was in the way of its ill-conceived and unwanted pet projects. A lot of damage has been done: Windsor Bridge, Willow Grove, Royal Oak Hotel, Parramatta Park and more. The current government needs to act swiftly to prevent further damage and protect our precious heritage assets. Bob Edgar, Westmead Thank you so much, Sydney Morning Herald, for exposing how bad the care of heritage has been in NSW for years. So now surely something will happen. What is left of old Parramatta might survive, perhaps the Powerhouse will survive as the world-class museum it was, perhaps Sydney Living Museums might get back on track and look after the state's most important domestic buildings, including the historic towns on the Hawkesbury River. The NSW Coalition government was a disgrace when it came to heritage. Clive Lucas, Neutral Bay The NSW Auditor-General's findings are a timely and sobering read. This dire situation is no surprise to all who have fought for years for the state heritage listing of the Powerhouse Museum. In fact, the 2022 Robertson & Hindmarsh report, Architectural Heritage of the Last Quarter of the 20th Century, commissioned at the request of the Heritage Council, recommends its listing. However, the nomination of the museum has been constantly 'deferred' for more than two years by the Heritage Council. Meanwhile, the previous government's plans for the demolition and destruction of this much-loved museum are still in play. Minister Penny Sharpe should ensure that members of the Heritage Council have professional expertise and knowledge in the field. The people's museum, one of NSW's four foundational cultural institutions, deserves better. Jennifer Sanders, Russell Lea Hot houses Why have planning authorities continued to allow huge houses with no gables and dark Colorbond roofs to be packed into newer suburbs over the last few decades (' Summer heat stress worst in treeless suburbs, new estates ', July 24)? Is it the greed of developers? Is it the aspiration to have a large house with little gardening maintenance required? Tree cover will never be possible in these estates as tall trees all invade gutters and drains if planted close to houses. Street and park planting have to be presented as an alternative. Katriona Herborn, Blackheath Surely it is obvious that houses, masses of them all together with no trees in sight, is a huge contributor to unbearable heat in summer. What is needed is a canopy of green to stop the heat on roofs. Where was the planning for this? It should be obvious by now that our summers are getting longer and hotter. Building codes must be changed as soon as possible, if it is not already too late.
The Age
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Age
2407msletters3
Coalition bulldozed heritage No one should be surprised at the lack of protection of heritage assets in NSW (' Heritage watchdog's database in woeful state ', July 24). The previous NSW government, with its thinly disguised contempt of all things heritage, made it a mission to eradicate any historic building or structure that was in the way of its ill-conceived and unwanted pet projects. A lot of damage has been done: Windsor Bridge, Willow Grove, Royal Oak Hotel, Parramatta Park and more. The current government needs to act swiftly to prevent further damage and protect our precious heritage assets. Bob Edgar, Westmead Thank you so much, Sydney Morning Herald, for exposing how bad the care of heritage has been in NSW for years. So now surely something will happen. What is left of old Parramatta might survive, perhaps the Powerhouse will survive as the world-class museum it was, perhaps Sydney Living Museums might get back on track and look after the state's most important domestic buildings, including the historic towns on the Hawkesbury River. The NSW Coalition government was a disgrace when it came to heritage. Clive Lucas, Neutral Bay The NSW Auditor-General's findings are a timely and sobering read. This dire situation is no surprise to all who have fought for years for the state heritage listing of the Powerhouse Museum. In fact, the 2022 Robertson & Hindmarsh report, Architectural Heritage of the Last Quarter of the 20th Century, commissioned at the request of the Heritage Council, recommends its listing. However, the nomination of the museum has been constantly 'deferred' for more than two years by the Heritage Council. Meanwhile, the previous government's plans for the demolition and destruction of this much-loved museum are still in play. Minister Penny Sharpe should ensure that members of the Heritage Council have professional expertise and knowledge in the field. The people's museum, one of NSW's four foundational cultural institutions, deserves better. Jennifer Sanders, Russell Lea Hot houses Why have planning authorities continued to allow huge houses with no gables and dark Colorbond roofs to be packed into newer suburbs over the last few decades (' Summer heat stress worst in treeless suburbs, new estates ', July 24)? Is it the greed of developers? Is it the aspiration to have a large house with little gardening maintenance required? Tree cover will never be possible in these estates as tall trees all invade gutters and drains if planted close to houses. Street and park planting have to be presented as an alternative. Katriona Herborn, Blackheath Surely it is obvious that houses, masses of them all together with no trees in sight, is a huge contributor to unbearable heat in summer. What is needed is a canopy of green to stop the heat on roofs. Where was the planning for this? It should be obvious by now that our summers are getting longer and hotter. Building codes must be changed as soon as possible, if it is not already too late.
