Heritage Minister tells Jerry Schwartz to 'get moving' on post office restoration
Community and council frustration with the lack of progress on the landmark building has reached boiling point in recent months.
Despite having council approval, the project needs to be referred to the heritage branch of the Department of Environment and Heritage before it can be submitted for certification.
Dr Schwartz appointed new architects to work on the project in early 2023 to prepare a series of detailed specialist reports required to obtain a construction certificate.
But, more than two years on, the certificate is still outstanding.
Speaking in Newcastle on Thursday, Ms Sharpe said Heritage NSW and the Heritage Council had held discussions with Dr Schwartz's representatives about what was needed for the project to proceed.
"They're obviously keeping a close eye on it because it's such a precious asset. We stand ready to work through those issues. I think there are some things that the developer needs to provide in terms of information. I'd encourage them to do that as quickly as possible," Ms Sharpe said.
"What we're really looking forward to is the owner taking action and actually bringing it to life again."
The state government bought the building for $4 million in late 2012.
It was then acquired by the Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council in mid-2014 as part of a land claim.
The land council sold the building to Dr Schwartz for $3.6 million in October 2018.
Dr Schwartz's plan to transform the building into a conference centre, retail shops, a cafe and an Indigenous cultural centre and medical museum was first approved in 2021.
The plans in May last year with alterations and additions to the existing building, including an extra storey to the amenities block. The proposed additional level was subsequently removed.
The latest plans also include a museum-quality miniature representation of Newcastle's rail, industry, architectural and maritime history.
Dr Schwartz estimates he has spent about $600,000 on asbestos and lead removal, plus about $100,000 a year on general maintenance.
Despite that, he recently reaffirmed his commitment to the building's restoration, citing delays in obtaining a construction certificate as the reason why the project was not progressing.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said the post office was the subject of regular communication from the community.
"We really want to see some genuine commitment from the owner to actually progress this issue in a really timely manner," he said.
"The developer talks a lot about getting it moving, a lot about their interactions with various agencies, but the developer actually has to really make that commitment, get the money and get it moving."
Ms Sharpe said the post office saga demonstrated why it was essential for heritage buildings to be well-maintained.
"Of course I'm disappointed that previous governments haven't upgraded it," she said.
"We've got assets all over the state that we're looking at, but I think the real lesson here is what can we put in place in partnership with private owners or public owners of heritage to make sure that they're actually kept in good condition before they fall into disrepair, because the bill just goes up from there."
State Heritage Minister Penny Sharpe and Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp have urged Newcastle Post Office owner Jerry Schwartz to get cracking on the restoration of the heritage jewel.
Community and council frustration with the lack of progress on the landmark building has reached boiling point in recent months.
Despite having council approval, the project needs to be referred to the heritage branch of the Department of Environment and Heritage before it can be submitted for certification.
Dr Schwartz appointed new architects to work on the project in early 2023 to prepare a series of detailed specialist reports required to obtain a construction certificate.
But, more than two years on, the certificate is still outstanding.
Speaking in Newcastle on Thursday, Ms Sharpe said Heritage NSW and the Heritage Council had held discussions with Dr Schwartz's representatives about what was needed for the project to proceed.
"They're obviously keeping a close eye on it because it's such a precious asset. We stand ready to work through those issues. I think there are some things that the developer needs to provide in terms of information. I'd encourage them to do that as quickly as possible," Ms Sharpe said.
"What we're really looking forward to is the owner taking action and actually bringing it to life again."
The state government bought the building for $4 million in late 2012.
It was then acquired by the Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council in mid-2014 as part of a land claim.
The land council sold the building to Dr Schwartz for $3.6 million in October 2018.
Dr Schwartz's plan to transform the building into a conference centre, retail shops, a cafe and an Indigenous cultural centre and medical museum was first approved in 2021.
The plans in May last year with alterations and additions to the existing building, including an extra storey to the amenities block. The proposed additional level was subsequently removed.
The latest plans also include a museum-quality miniature representation of Newcastle's rail, industry, architectural and maritime history.
Dr Schwartz estimates he has spent about $600,000 on asbestos and lead removal, plus about $100,000 a year on general maintenance.
Despite that, he recently reaffirmed his commitment to the building's restoration, citing delays in obtaining a construction certificate as the reason why the project was not progressing.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said the post office was the subject of regular communication from the community.
"We really want to see some genuine commitment from the owner to actually progress this issue in a really timely manner," he said.
"The developer talks a lot about getting it moving, a lot about their interactions with various agencies, but the developer actually has to really make that commitment, get the money and get it moving."
Ms Sharpe said the post office saga demonstrated why it was essential for heritage buildings to be well-maintained.
"Of course I'm disappointed that previous governments haven't upgraded it," she said.
"We've got assets all over the state that we're looking at, but I think the real lesson here is what can we put in place in partnership with private owners or public owners of heritage to make sure that they're actually kept in good condition before they fall into disrepair, because the bill just goes up from there."
State Heritage Minister Penny Sharpe and Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp have urged Newcastle Post Office owner Jerry Schwartz to get cracking on the restoration of the heritage jewel.
Community and council frustration with the lack of progress on the landmark building has reached boiling point in recent months.
Despite having council approval, the project needs to be referred to the heritage branch of the Department of Environment and Heritage before it can be submitted for certification.
Dr Schwartz appointed new architects to work on the project in early 2023 to prepare a series of detailed specialist reports required to obtain a construction certificate.
But, more than two years on, the certificate is still outstanding.
Speaking in Newcastle on Thursday, Ms Sharpe said Heritage NSW and the Heritage Council had held discussions with Dr Schwartz's representatives about what was needed for the project to proceed.
"They're obviously keeping a close eye on it because it's such a precious asset. We stand ready to work through those issues. I think there are some things that the developer needs to provide in terms of information. I'd encourage them to do that as quickly as possible," Ms Sharpe said.
"What we're really looking forward to is the owner taking action and actually bringing it to life again."
The state government bought the building for $4 million in late 2012.
It was then acquired by the Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council in mid-2014 as part of a land claim.
The land council sold the building to Dr Schwartz for $3.6 million in October 2018.
Dr Schwartz's plan to transform the building into a conference centre, retail shops, a cafe and an Indigenous cultural centre and medical museum was first approved in 2021.
The plans in May last year with alterations and additions to the existing building, including an extra storey to the amenities block. The proposed additional level was subsequently removed.
The latest plans also include a museum-quality miniature representation of Newcastle's rail, industry, architectural and maritime history.
Dr Schwartz estimates he has spent about $600,000 on asbestos and lead removal, plus about $100,000 a year on general maintenance.
Despite that, he recently reaffirmed his commitment to the building's restoration, citing delays in obtaining a construction certificate as the reason why the project was not progressing.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said the post office was the subject of regular communication from the community.
"We really want to see some genuine commitment from the owner to actually progress this issue in a really timely manner," he said.
"The developer talks a lot about getting it moving, a lot about their interactions with various agencies, but the developer actually has to really make that commitment, get the money and get it moving."
Ms Sharpe said the post office saga demonstrated why it was essential for heritage buildings to be well-maintained.
"Of course I'm disappointed that previous governments haven't upgraded it," she said.
"We've got assets all over the state that we're looking at, but I think the real lesson here is what can we put in place in partnership with private owners or public owners of heritage to make sure that they're actually kept in good condition before they fall into disrepair, because the bill just goes up from there."
State Heritage Minister Penny Sharpe and Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp have urged Newcastle Post Office owner Jerry Schwartz to get cracking on the restoration of the heritage jewel.
Community and council frustration with the lack of progress on the landmark building has reached boiling point in recent months.
Despite having council approval, the project needs to be referred to the heritage branch of the Department of Environment and Heritage before it can be submitted for certification.
Dr Schwartz appointed new architects to work on the project in early 2023 to prepare a series of detailed specialist reports required to obtain a construction certificate.
But, more than two years on, the certificate is still outstanding.
Speaking in Newcastle on Thursday, Ms Sharpe said Heritage NSW and the Heritage Council had held discussions with Dr Schwartz's representatives about what was needed for the project to proceed.
"They're obviously keeping a close eye on it because it's such a precious asset. We stand ready to work through those issues. I think there are some things that the developer needs to provide in terms of information. I'd encourage them to do that as quickly as possible," Ms Sharpe said.
"What we're really looking forward to is the owner taking action and actually bringing it to life again."
The state government bought the building for $4 million in late 2012.
It was then acquired by the Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council in mid-2014 as part of a land claim.
The land council sold the building to Dr Schwartz for $3.6 million in October 2018.
Dr Schwartz's plan to transform the building into a conference centre, retail shops, a cafe and an Indigenous cultural centre and medical museum was first approved in 2021.
The plans in May last year with alterations and additions to the existing building, including an extra storey to the amenities block. The proposed additional level was subsequently removed.
The latest plans also include a museum-quality miniature representation of Newcastle's rail, industry, architectural and maritime history.
Dr Schwartz estimates he has spent about $600,000 on asbestos and lead removal, plus about $100,000 a year on general maintenance.
Despite that, he recently reaffirmed his commitment to the building's restoration, citing delays in obtaining a construction certificate as the reason why the project was not progressing.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said the post office was the subject of regular communication from the community.
"We really want to see some genuine commitment from the owner to actually progress this issue in a really timely manner," he said.
"The developer talks a lot about getting it moving, a lot about their interactions with various agencies, but the developer actually has to really make that commitment, get the money and get it moving."
Ms Sharpe said the post office saga demonstrated why it was essential for heritage buildings to be well-maintained.
"Of course I'm disappointed that previous governments haven't upgraded it," she said.
"We've got assets all over the state that we're looking at, but I think the real lesson here is what can we put in place in partnership with private owners or public owners of heritage to make sure that they're actually kept in good condition before they fall into disrepair, because the bill just goes up from there."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
19 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Vic Shadow Minister says state's treaty negotiations will be a ‘multi-billion-dollar process' with hundreds of millions already spent
Victorian Shadow Treasurer James Newbury has projected the state's treaty negotiations will become a 'multi-billion-dollar process', considering the hundreds of millions of dollars invested in proceedings already. The governments of Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan and former premier Daniel Andrews had spent at least $382 on negotiating a treaty with Indigenous Australians since 2016, according to analysis by the Herald Sun. A Victorian government spokesperson refused to verify the masthead's figure, but they said $308 million had been poured into the treaty process since the 2020-2021 budget. Referring to the almost $400 million that has reportedly been invested already, Mr Newbury took aim at the Allan government over the significant sum, questioning what it had been spent on. 'Victoria spent four hundred before we've even got to a treaty. So what have they spent the four hundred million on? 400 [million] without doing the treaty. I mean, that's why we're opposed to it as a Coalition," he told Sky News Australia on Monday. 'What the government we know will now do is spend billions of dollars on a treaty. If they're spending 400 [million] on the admin beforehand, we know it's gonna be a multi-billion dollar process.' 'And that's the government's hiding the figures in terms of the bigger treaty, because we know it's going to be a multi-billion dollar thing. It's wrong, we're opposed to it, we've said it loudly and clearly, and frankly Jacinta Allen owns this one and she's wrong.' Meanwhile, fresh research has claimed costs related to treaty negotiations have soared to close to $800 million within the last decade. Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) findings published on Sunday claimed that since 2016, the Victorian government had spent $776.2 million on programmes related to the treaty's development. Titled 'Victoria's expensive, secretive, and divisive treaty process', the report found $100.6 million of the alleged spending had been committed in the 2026 financial year alone. The research findings also said as much at 241 meetings regarding the development of a treaty could be held in the 2026 financial year, based on average meeting numbers in previous years. The research comes after the Victorian government's Yoorrook Justice truth telling inquiry handed down its final report earlier this month following four years of proceedings. The treaty is now set to progress to parliament, with Ms Allan and the state's First People's Assembly confirming that legislation to pass the agreement would be tabled after the winter break. The state is also negotiating with local Indigenous communities on separate treaties.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
Banks to refund $60m to ripped-off customers
Thousands of Australians wrongly slugged with excessive bank charges will soon receive a refund, as the corporate regulator cracks down on these unfair practices. In a second round of payments announced on Tuesday, The Australian Securities and Investments Commission said a further 770,000 customers will be refunded $60m. These refunds will be paid to low-income customers of 21 financial institutions receiving government concession payments, who were placed in higher-fee bank accounts despite a lower fee option being available to them. This follows $33m in fees already refunded to 150,000 customers which was previously paid out. Three of the major banks featured in ASIC initial report have now committed to providing refunds of bank fees to a broader group of low-income customers who have been in high-fee accounts. ASIC shows the impact of getting the bank refund. Picture Supplied Credit: Supplied ANZ will be paying the most out of the big four banks. According to the report, ANZ will pay out an estimated $47.9m to almost 590,000 account holders for fees dating back until mid-2019 and Westpac $9.9m for fees incurred since 2013. Commonwealth Bank says it won't be paying any more after previously paying $25m to around 90,000 Indigenous concession customer accounts. National Australia Bank was not included in the probe as it stopped carrying dishonour, account-keeping or overdraw fees on transaction accounts in 2014. ASIC chair Joe Longo said, despite the improvements banks have made during our surveillance, there is clearly work to be done. 'It should not take an ASIC review to force $93 million in refunds or make banks assess their processes to ensure the trust and expectations placed in them are justified,' he said. 'Banks need to truly hear the messages in this report — read it, review it, and ask themselves some difficult questions about what led to this situation.' Australians are set to be paid $60m in the second round of payments. NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar Credit: NewsWire As part of the changes, ASIC also encouraged banks to consider introducing or improving First Nations service channels, with six more banks now collecting data to identify First Nations customers to inform appropriate and sensitive service delivery. ASIC commissioner Alan Kirkland said what started as an initiative focused on addressing avoidable bank fees for low-income customers in regional and remote locations, particularly First Nations consumers, revealed a much wider problem affecting customers nationwide. 'When you read in the report that refunds of $1,200, $2,600 and $5,200 were paid, it's important to understand what those amounts mean for people struggling to make ends meet,' Mr Kirkland said. 'A $1,200 refund was equivalent to one customer's fortnightly Age Pension. A $2,600 refund equalled around 110 hours of minimum-wage earnings for another customer, and a $5,200 refund matched 13 weeks of another customer's Jobseeker payment.' A spokesperson for ANZ said the bank had taken a 'deliberate decision to expand our remediation payments, leading to a larger cohort of customers being refunded fees and interest'.
The Age
a day ago
- The Age
Banks to refund millions in fees to more than 700,000 customers
Banks will refund $60 million to low-income customers receiving government concession payments who were in high-fee bank accounts despite being eligible for cheaper products following a probe from the corporate watchdog. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) will on Tuesday announce that about 770,000 customers will receive refunds from banks in the latest development in the regulator's push for banks to pay back various account fees charged to people receiving government concession payments. ANZ Bank is paying out the most in the latest round of refunds, followed by Westpac, while Commonwealth Bank is not paying further refunds after it previously made $25 million in 'goodwill payments' to about 87,000 Indigenous concession customer accounts. National Australia Bank was not included in ASIC's review because it has not charged dishonour, account-keeping or overdraw fees on transaction accounts since 2014, the regulator said. ASIC last year said Commonwealth Bank, ANZ Bank, Westpac and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank would refund $28 million to people on low incomes, particularly First Nations customers, after a review found the customers had been kept in high-cost products even though they were eligible for lower-cost accounts. Since that report, the estimated $28 million in refunds swelled to $33 million, and ASIC has widened its work with banks to look at the effect on all low-income customers from charges including dishonour, overdraw and account-keeping fees. As a result, a further $60 million will be refunded to more than 770,000 customers, as three of the four banks named in last year's report have committed to paying refunds to a broader group of customers. A further seven banks have also committed to paying refunds, the watchdog said. It brings the total payout to customers receiving government concession payments, whom ASIC said were typically known as 'low-income customers', to $93 million.
