A community group has accused NSW Health of deliberately speeding up the demolition of historic Murrurundi hospital in order to get ahead of an application to protect the century-old building.
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The accusation comes as a months-long battle to save the historic building escalated this week with Shadow Minister for Heritage Kate Washington speaking out against the planned demolition.
Ms Washington wrote a number of responsible ministers asking for a last-minute reprieve for the 1919 building this week.
The hospital is not heritage listed, and an attempt to win protection failed in May. But a community group committed to saving the building wants a second shot at winning listing for the historic building.
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Ms Washington called on the state government to "put the pause on the bulldozers and allow the community to have their voices heard."
The building has substantial heritage significance and meaning to the local community, she said.
"It's appalling, because the building warrants proper assessment for its heritage values. In itself the campaign and the concern in the community, indicates the strong connection the community has to that building," she said.
"It beggars belief that it hasn't got a formal listing at this stage despite the community's best efforts."
She said the planned demolition is a example of the state government's failure to listen to the community and their lack of care for the state's built heritage.
"Across the state we're seeing NSW heritage become history every day. The Windsor Bridge in Sydney is being currently demolished. We've lost the Royal Oak hotel - which is over 200 years old - in Parramatta. And now we've got historic Murrurundi hospital being bulldozed to make way for a car park which could easily be sited elsewhere."
Heritage consultant Ray Hynes said Murrurundi residents are concerned the building could be gone by Christmas, only for the rubble to win heritage approval in the new year.
"They're going to do it very quickly and very quietly," he said.
"They were going to demolish the building in February, now it's been brought forward. That's because you can't defend rubble".
The National Trust already intends to list the building on their 'Buildings To Protect' register, he said.
A spokesperson for Heritage NSW said the State Heritage Register Committee of the independent Heritage Council had in May considered and rejected two nominations that the building be listed.
"It found that the hospital was unlikely to meet the test for State heritage significance and advised the nominator that it would not be progressed," they said.
"Under the Heritage Act 1977, the Minister responsible for Heritage can only consider listing of items on the State Heritage Register if it is recommended by the Heritage Council.
"The State Government is committed to protecting items of state heritage significance. As the hospital has not been found to meet that test, it is a local government matter."
Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen said he's "not getting involved in the politics" of the issue.
"The decision has been made, in conjunction with the community (over a two year period) and it's going ahead," he said.
"I receive more correspondence in support of the planned development from Murrurundi residents, than I do against it. Nevertheless, I understand the passion some people in the community have for its retention."
Mr Hynes believes the new building can co-exist with the old one. The local arts council would migrate there if preserved, he said.
Built in 1919 Murrurundi's Wilson Memorial Hospital was designed by famed state architect George McRae. He also worked on the Queen Victoria Building, the Sydney Town Hall, the Taronga Zoo Entrance among others.
The building will be replaced by rights-of-way and a car park for a new Murrurundi Multipurpose Service.
The Upper Hunter Council last month knocked back a proposal to block demolition until the community had a second chance at protection.
Andrew Messenger
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
