The NSW government has threatened a Chinese property developer with legal action because it has not acted on an order to protect a historic hospital.
Key points:
- A fire tore through the Kenmore Psychiatric Hospital in October
- The NSW Government says efforts to contact the owner to address the damage have been unsuccessful
- Heritage NSW will now do the work, and send the bill to the Chinese property developer owner
The Kenmore Psychiatric Hospital at Goulburn in the state’s south was sold into private hands almost two decades ago, after more than a century in use.
The 75-hectare, heritage-listed precinct includes a cricket oval and dozens of buildings.
In October, a devastating fire broke out in one of the old wards, ultimately destroying it.
Subsequent inspections by Heritage NSW found “significant damage” and a “deplorable lack of care” across many of the buildings.
It ordered the site’s owner, Australia China International Pty Ltd, to take “immediate and active measures to redress disrepair or risk to a listed place”.
The Heritage Minister, Don Harwin, said “numerous” attempts to contact the company had been unsuccessful.
So now, Heritage NSW will undertake the work, and Mr Harwin said the owner will be made to pay for it — through court action “if necessary”.
Enmeshed in Australia’s history
The former Mayor of the Goulburn-Mulwaree Council, Bob Kirk, said the site was “iconic”.
“There wouldn’t be a long term resident of Goulburn who wouldn’t have some sort of attachment, involvement or been attached or associated with the Kenmore precinct in historical terms,” he said.
Mr Kirk recalled famous cricketers who had played at the Hospital’s oval in its heyday.
“Richie Benaud and Bobby Simpson have played out there, the place has got a lot of history from a whole lot of perspectives in this community.”
He did not believe there was a sinister explanation as to the owner’s disregard for the site.
“I think the guy just doesn’t value the heritage like we do,” Mr Kirk said.
Mr Kirk said in previous discussions, the owner had insisted if council was so concerned about the heritage value than it should be responsible for caring for it.
He welcomed the state government’s decision to take control of the situation.
“The fact that it’s in private ownership is a great shame, but that was a decision in the past and now they’re trying to fix it.”
Tangible historical importance
The precinct was the first purpose-built complex for mental health care in rural NSW.
It is also the largest example of the first government architect, W.L. Vernon.
Police said in October they had identified two teenaged boys as the culprits for the fire.
They were disciplined under the Young Offenders Act, for offences of destroying property while in company by using fire, and entering enclosed lands.
The ABC has attempted to contact the owner of the site.
