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To find the origin of your Newtown area street name, click on the link below:
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2006
Ferndale Updates
PROTEST ALERT
General Updates
* A Mayoral vote will again take place in Council on Tuesday night 26 September 2006.
*Congratulations to Greens leader Sam Byrne on his election as Mayor.
*In the Marrickville Council elections on 27 March 2004 the incumbent Mayor Cr. Cotter lost office,
with his Labor faction reduced from seven to four councillors. Voters gave a majority instead to Green and Independent candidates.
*Congratulations to the new Mayor Cr. Morris Hanna, and to Deputy Mayor and Greens leader Cr. Sam Byrne (later elected Mayor after an agreed term for Cr Hanna). Their victory was all the more impressive when achieved despite ward & boundary changes imposed without bipartisan or community consent, in a manoeuvre many felt was a gerrymander by the then ruling faction.* The Greens campaigned under the slogan "Community needs not developer greed". So many people saw the electoral rebuff to the former Mayor and his group as partly a rebuke to a "developers-first" approach that has led to scandals such as the demolition of Prospect Villa and the Ferndale affair.
* There may also have been a backlash to the December 2003 events, when the former Mayor pushed through Council a vote effectively abolishing nearly all heritage controls in Marrickville except as Council itself sees fit in individual cases. The Mayor's right-hand man, Cr. Max Pearce, spearheaded the Council move. The latter then referred to this vote as "driving a stake through the heart" of heritage proposals. (Cr. Pearce did not subsequently contest the election).
***Congratulations also to the Marrickville Heritage Society on its 20th Anniversary in April 2004. The MHS covers the suburbs of Dulwich Hill, Enmore, Lewisham, Marrickville, Petersham, Stanmore, St Peters, Sydenham, Tempe, and of course much of Newtown and Camperdown.
If you wish to join, donate to or contact the MHS:
by mail: write to PO Box 415, Marrickville NSW 1475
Email to: marrickvilleheritagesociety@hotmail.com.**A proposal has been made to the MHS for the establishment of a Marrickville Heritage Fund. If there are any developments in this regard they will be reported on this page.
Update: The MHS regards the proposal as too ambitious at the present time. Let's hope it may eventually prove possible.
Some more valuable heritage links:
Australian Heritage Commission
http://www.ahc.gov.au
The National Trust
http://www.nattrust.com.au
Australian Garden History Society
http://www.gardenhistorysociety.org.au/
World of Old Houses
http://www.oldhouses.com.au
Irish's NSW Railway Station Names
http://www.triode.net.au/~rolfeb/nsw/irish
Heritage Registers
NSW State Heritage Inventory : This register includes all items listed on NSW statutory registers, i.e. the State Heritage Register plus heritage schedules of Local Environmental Plans (LEPs). Items in the Inventory are the only ones to have compulsory heritage protection. Access is via the Heritage Office website at www.heritage.nsw.gov.au
Register of the National Estate: This register is compiled by the Australian Heritage Council (previously the Australian Heritage Commission) for the Federal Government. It identifies and provides information about more than 11,000 natural, historic and Aboriginal heritage places. It may be accessed at: www.environment.gov.au/heritage
National Trust of Australia (NSW) Register: This register identifies buildings and sites judged worthy of conservation by this respected community organisation. Reach the register from: www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au
Other voluntary registers are maintained by a number or groups. These include:
the National Parks & Wildlife Service (Aboriginal and natural heritage items);
the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (twentieth century buildings of significance);
the Professional Historians Association of NSW (historic places and objects)..
*"Upper Face of the Inner West" Web Album & possible publication project
The first stage of this project is now available for viewing
at: http://www.e-book.com.au/upperface.htm*
Ferndale Updates
Prospective view to" Ferndale" from Camden St
if the driveway is restored
22 September 2006
Without the notice required to neighbours and while the land is still officially owned by the previous seller (LPI confirmed 22/9,25/9) the driveway is suddenly excavated, exposing service pipes to "Ferndale" and neighbour's foundations. A Marrickville Council officer however initially denies irregularities but says "a more thorough investigation" will be made.
August 2006
There is sudden interest in the driveway land, and competitive bidding leads to a sale by Callagher RE of Annandale at $285,000. It is unclear at this stage whether this is connected to a Council decision led by Cr Cotter to abolish heritage protection on all items (including "Ferndale") so covered since the year 2000.
March 2005 - July 2006
Attempts to sell the driveway land fail despite successive price reductions from $385,000 to $250,000.Atrts
February 2005
On 10 February 2005 real estate agents Ray White Newtown agreed to cancel an auction of the "Ferndale" driveway advertised for Saturday 12 Feb. 2005, and to make no other attempts to sell the land concerned.
The agreement followed discussions initiated by a director and a senior sales agent of Ray White Newtown. Protestors agreed for their part to cancel an Inner West boycott of that company's franchises that was in the process of being launched.
The February victory for local protestors followed two earlier failed attempts in the last six months - by agencies Gerard Partners of Annandale and The Professionals, Newtown - to sell the driveway land by private treaty.
July 2004
*Articles in local newspapers, Channel 10 TV news and the Today Tonight show on Channel 7 have all drawn attention to, or poked fun at, the ridiculous proposal to build a substandard mini-house on the driveway of the heritage-listed property "Ferndale". Comments such as "bizarre" and "Council madness", and general community derision, have however so far not made any dent in the evident unwillingness of certain Council managers to concede that they may have made a mistake, much less led them to try and correct the situation, as they have been repeatedly asked to do without result.
*One wonders why these managers seem to believe that an pose of infallibility will protect their resultant loss of credibility within the Marrickville and indeed broader community. Shame, shame, shame.
*Protesters, meanwhile, are heartened by the sympathy and support offered them by so many. The potential of this issue to become even more of a cause celebre in future is obvious. Except, apparently, to those officials who believe that to argue for dwellings of interior dimensions 2.5 metre wide being built on heritage properties against strong neighbour and community feeling is all in a perfectly reasonable day's work. Or perhaps they've just succumbed to the underhand bureaucratic urge that where you've got it wrong, the ignoble "cover-up" must always triumph?
*One thing is sure, the future may not be easy for them while they take such attitudes. For example, the latest twist in the "Ferndale" affair is the revelation that prior to the Heritage Council of NSW's decision protecting Ferndale Lodge, someone with official credibility notified the Australian Heritage Commission that "Ferndale" had been demolished. Indeed it is reported as such on the Net in the AHC's 2002-03 annual report chpr 3, and listed there as a loss to the National Estate!
Now it is obvious who might have something to gain by this, but who knew what, and who did what, and why? The answers to these questions are awaited with interest. Or will a "wall of silence" be the bureaucrats' response to this latest embarrassment?
March 2004
Outrage in Driveway 18 March 2004. Three men, one of them the speculative property developer who purchased the driveway last year, turned up in Camden St and made known intentions to attack the walls of neighbouring residents, so as to remove protest signs and a painting, the property of the neighbours. The intruders also tried to incite violence with the neighbours by advancing to a common fence and challenging them to fight. The police were called & restored calm, and the intruders later withdrew.
The developer claimed he had Council permission for his proposed actions towards the walls. We hope this is untrue, but in case it is not, a protest has been made to Marrickville Council. There Mayor Cotter has, unfortunately, consistently adopted a "Pontius Pilate" attitude to the many previous incidents of the misbehaviour of would-be developers concerning "Ferndale".
***We hope voters are aware of just how much regard the Mayor will have for them when it comes to a question of the rights of resident ratepayers versus the wishes of developers ***
The property speculator concerned, who calls himself "Joe", is registered as being a Mr. David Russo. According to one source (unconfirmed) he paid $75,000 for the driveway (previously advertised on the Internet by McGrath Real Estate for an asking price of $250,000- $300,000).
"Joe" the speculator
October 2003
Show Cancelled: We've been advised by the relevant TV production
company ("Beyond Productions")
that they will no longer be proceeding with a story relating to development
at 31 Camden St. ("Ferndale") and featuring a property speculator
named "Joe". If any TV channel now takes up the saga we'll let you
know.
August-September 2003
* *
* Partial Victory over "Ferndale"
The Heritage Council of NSW has advised that "In respect of the house located
on Lot 52 DP 1048316...the Heritage Office will be recommending the listing
of this item on Marrickville Council's Local Environmental Plan. Furthermore,
the Heritage Office proposes to consider listing the house and extant property
located on Lot 52 DP 1048316 on the State Heritage Register." This is great
news, and our thanks go out to the Heritage Council.
There is still some way to go yet, though, in achieving full heritage protection for "Ferndale". See details below:
Remaining Goals for "Ferndale"
* Official listing in the State Heritage Register.
* Obtain protection and restoration of the"Ferndale" driveway to Camden St. ( this was not covered in the HCNSW decision, and will be taken up with Marrickville Council).
* Ensure that heritage protection is observed in reality.
* Promote signage to ensure that "Ferndale" becomes an accessible rather than a "hidden" treasure.
* Promote awareness of Ferndale's importance both at the Inner West level and for its State and national significance.
* Promote celebration of the (presumed) 150th anniversary of "Ferndale" in 2004.
30 July 2003
*Congratulations
to Marrickville Council for completing repavement
of the Kent Lane access to "Ferndale". Council has also reguttered
the lane, while thoughtfully preserving the original kerbstones, in line with
the heritage values of the house it runs alongside. We hope Council will now
expand its commitment into fully conserving the whole of this unique, historic
property.
*A jarring note: On 28 July 2003 a person working for the would-be developer of " Ferndale" was intercepted trespassing with apparent felonious intent in a neighbouring property. He fled the scene, and was later spoken to by police. There has been a long history of attempted intimidation of neighbours who support the heritage protection of "Ferndale".
*
27 April 2003
IHO GRANTED: The Heritage Council of NSW has granted a compulsory Interim Heritage Order for the "Ferndale" property in Newtown, and the auction of 26 April was therefore cancelled.
Please support the Heritage Council in their work. We would greatly appreciate you contacting them to let them know you would like to see the interim Order for "Ferndale" made permanent.
*The Heritage Council of NSW: 3 Marist Place, Parramatta NSW 2150; tel. 9873-8500
Unfortunately McGrath Real Estate have consistently refused to abide by the spirit of this agreement, and have continued to show off and advertise the "Ferndale" driveway as a building lot. We therefore urge all heritage supporters to protest to & boycott McGraths until they respect the Order & cease this behaviour, and show some concern for the feelings of the community.
*
Ferndale, the latest Marrickville heritage outrage
Historic Ferndale Lodge (Also known as Ferndale
Villa or Ferndale Cottage)
Viewed from the hidden right hook of Kent Lane, off Camden St. Newtown
Thomas Holt, prominent politician, philanthropist, legal reformer, businessman, social crusader, church figure and Newtown/Marrickville civic identity, was fond of lodges. After Ferndale Lodge at Camden Villa", Newtown, he built a second lodge at his next house "the Warren" (demolished 1922) on the corner of Illawarra & Warren Roads, Marrickville.
There he created a chapel which led to the establishment opposite of what is now Marrickville landmark the Roseby Memorial Uniting Church. This is named after Dr Thomas Roseby F.R.A.S., an early pupil of Camden College. Arthur Aspinall became the first pastor (he later founded the Scots College, while Rev. DR Roseby's daughters founded Redlands School).
Holt also built a third lodge for his last and greatest residence, the monumental Sutherland House mansion at Sylvania (destroyed 1918). "Ferndale"in Newtown is the last surviving residence connected with Thomas Holt, one of the most significant figures of nineteenth century colonial NSW, & Marrickville municipality's greatest local hero. Yet Marrickville Council refuses to protect it, one of many local heritage scandals under Mayor Cotter's "developers first and last" administration.
Camden Villa/ Camden College
Beautiful Camden Villa (later Camden College) was demolished by out-of-control developers in 1888, with the support of a dominant faction on the local council (some things never seem to change). From this historic estate only "Ferndale" remains. But greed now threatens Ferndale too. "Special interests" plan to auction the driveway of "Ferndale" as a first step to its destruction.
"Ferndale" can be saved - but only by your protests. It's the run-up to Council election season (March next year), and "they" will listen if enough people speak out.
Take a stand for our local heritage - things you can do
Phone, write, fax or email a protest to the recipient(s) of your choice below:*McGrath Inner West Real Estate, chief relevant agent Ray Teuma. Owner John McGrath.Tell them (politely) what you think of their anti-heritage stance. Tel: 9568-0806; mob. 0416-041932: email RayT@mcgrath.com.au and/or his boss Chris Mourd
Extra Ideas:
Return McGrath fliers to 280 Norton St. Leichhardt 2040 marked "Heritage Please" or your own message. Boycott McGrath's for an attitude change.
Peacefully protest in a legal fashion whenever you see the opportunity.Other Contacts
*Marrickville Mayor Cr. Barry Cotter: Tel. 9335-2000, fax 9335-2029;
mail to: 2-14 Fisher Street, Petersham 2049 or PO Box 14 Petersham;
email: council@marrickville.nsw.gov.au*The local member for Marrickville, DR Andrew Refshauge MP:
mail to:244 Illawarra Rd M'ville 2204 Tel. 9558-9000*The Heritage Council of NSW: 3 Marist Place, Parramatta NSW 2150; tel. 9873-8500
*Any news media outlets
Prepared by the Action Group for Ferndale. Thanks to www.e-book.com.au for webspace
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