From derelict loo to community space with a view

30 August 2018

Heritage funding to restore building with post-war significance to Murwillumbah

Council has welcomed a $30,000 grant from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage which will begin the transformation of a disused amenities block in Murwillumbah into a usable and attractive community space.

Member for Lismore, Thomas George MP was in Murwillumbah yesterday to announce the grant.

A heritage assessment in 2011 found the Queen Street amenities block to be a good example of post-war architectural styles applied to public infrastructure and identified it as the only known example in the region.

The building is within the Murwillumbah Heritage Conservation Area identified by the Murwillumbah Community Heritage Study, and is located within close proximity to a number of other significant heritage items, including the Salvation Army Citadel, the Broadway building, Tweed Arcade, Main Street clock and BGF House.

Its heritage features include its zigzag metal balustrade, ‘crazy paving’ on the stone wall, blue painted render, curved façade, protruding flat roofline and glass bricks, while its front lawn has a commanding view over the street.

Council General Manager Troy Green thanked Mr George, saying that Council would now be able to restore the redundant building to promote appreciation of its heritage value.

“The building is presently in a derelict condition and considered by the local community as an eyesore, so apart from currently having no use, its heritage value is under appreciated,” he said.

“Subject to sourcing further funds, the building’s interior could then be fitted out, to become a useful community space which could be used by event organisers for an office for a short period or by other community groups.”

The funding is a Heritage Near Me Activation Grant which targets heritage items which can be accessed by the public.

Council will use the funding to:

· make structural improvements to the building

· restore the external façade to reflect and respect its local and regional heritage significance

· increase access to and awareness of the building by including it as a feature item on the soon-to-be-developed Murwillumbah Arts and Heritage Precinct App.

The amenities block was decommissioned a number of years ago due to the high cost of maintenance and repairs and as it was not able to be brought up to modern standards of accessibility. A new toilet block was constructed in Tumbulgum Road in its place.

Downloads

Photo 1(JPG, 167KB)

Caption: Checking out the view from the Queen Street amenities block are (from left) Councillor Pryce Allsop, Member for Lismore, Thomas George and Council General Manager, Troy Green

Photo 2(JPG, 199KB)

Caption: The building's heritage features include its zigzag metal balustrade, ‘crazy paving’ on the stone wall, blue painted render, curved façade, protruding flat roofline and glass bricks, while its front lawn has a commanding view over the street.