OUR HERITAGE AT RISK - NEW SOUTH WALES- 2008

Place:  Catherine Hill Bay Heritage Conservation Area (4 km south of Swansea PC 2281)

Threat:  Destruction through uncontrolled development

 

Photo: National Trust of Australia (NSW)

Significance:

The Catherine Hill Bay Conservation Area has significance for both the landscape and built form, including its mining history, company town developments, coastal  recreation, characteristic Australian vernacular buildings, undeveloped natural bushland, habitat for threatened species, significant scenic and environmental coastal conservation values, relative isolation and lack of urban development.  The aesthetic significance of the built form at Catherine Hill Bay is significant as a highly intact late nineteenth century company town characterised by a varied range of finishes and scale typified by simple forms of predominately one story height. The area exhibits a high visual significance owing to the diversity of landforms, vegetation communities and waterforms. The Moonee site is an integral part of that landform.

(See nomination form for more details)

Statement of Risk:

The character of this scenic village, the surrounding bushland/landscape and mining heritage are under threat from extreme overdevelopment with the proposed addition of approx. 900 new homes.

Degree of Risk: Immediate risk – no solution agreed

Threats/Risks:  Destruction

Fate/outcome:   Stuffed (shattered or smashed )

Desired Outcome / Vision:

That the current Council guidelines for new development inCatherine Hill Bay and its surrounds continue to be in force and adhered to and that additional residential development above and beyond those guidelines be rejected