Preservation drama
THERE’S plenty to be proud of when it comes to Peel St, but the challenge has been laid down to council to avoid losing any more of the city’s heritage charm.
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Early recommendations from a study into Tamworth’s main drag and Fitzroy St have included a “heritage conservation zone” including Peel St and that council works more closely with property owners and tenants.
Councillor Juanita Wilson admitted Tamworth has seen some beautiful buildings demolished over the years and said “we owe it to the town to maintain what we have got”.
Despite this comment, heritage consultant Ray Christison said Tamworth’s main street has been managed “extremely well”, dotted with touchstones from a range of architectural eras.
“Tamworth is an amazing town because it has this history going right back to the 1870s of constant building, rebuilding, regrowth and renewal, which has been based on the long-term prosperity in the region and Tamworth’s role as capital of the region,” Mr Christison said.
The Lithgow-based consultant said, Peel St alone, there were significant examples of Edwardian, post-war modernist and brutalist designs.
He said it was up to council not “to control things, but provide additional guidance” to maintain the street’s significance.
Issues around awnings and verandas will be a key battle ahead, Mr Christison said, pointing to how his hometown of Lithgow tackled the problem.
“The council there has been working with property owners to stabilise awnings and verandas, which is bringing a lot of glory back to that street that was tarnished over time,” he said.
He said Maitland and Wagga Wagga had made positive steps with buildings in their main streets.
Cr Wilson emphasised the need for Tamworth to preserve what it had left.
“If you look above the awnings and the streets, you’ll see the facades in Peel St is wonderful,” she said.
“When developments happen and infrastructure needs to be replaced, we replace it so it maintains the precinct of our main street.”