Heritage Protection at Camden Council

Macaria which was formerly the offices of Camden Council to 2016. The new council offices are at Oran Park.

Heritage Protection at Camden Council

At tonight's Camden Council meeting (25 October 2016) councillors unanimously agreed to ask council officers to prepare a report on the establishment of a heritage protection sub-committee. It was moved that any proposed  sub-committee might include councillor representativs, community representatives, independent heritage experts, and representatives of historical groups and other appropriate organisations.

This is the first time that Camden Council has considered forming a committee related solely to heritage protection that could include a range of representatives from council, the community and experts in the field.

The motion was moved by Councillor Cindy Cagney, who stated the she felt the committee should be about preservation and promotion of the local area. She talked about her experience on Campbelltown Council and how Campbelltown Council heritage committee helped community members and councillors around heritage matters.

Councillor Cagney mentioned similar sub-committees at Campbelltown, and other councils. She saw any sub-committee taking a broad role on heritage issues, from advising on a heritage palatte for buildings, to writing histories of important heritage items.

Argyle Street in Camden which was originally founded in 1840 as part of the Macarthur's Camden Park.  

Councillor Eva Campbell spoke in support and said that social heritage of the local area was also important and that it was often overlooked. She stated the heritage made up an important part of a community's sense of place.

In reply to an amended motion Councillor Cagney stated that heritage included natural heritage, cultural heritage as well as built heritage of the local area.

Dr Ian Willis gave a public address to the council early in the evening in support of the proposal. His address is as follows:

Camden Council Public Address
ORDINARY COUNCIL  ORD11
NOTICE OF MOTION
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF MOTION - HERITAGE PROTECTION SUB-COMMITTEE
FROM: Cr Cagney
TRIM #: 16/300825

 I would like to thank the councillors for the opportunity to address the meeting this evening. I would like to speak in support of the motion put by Councillor Cagney.

 I think that a section 355 sub-committee on Heritage Protection is long over due in the Camden Local Government Area.

 A panel of councillors, experts and community members could give sound and constructive advice to Camden Council on local issues of substance related to local heritage.

 This could contribute to the Council’s knowledge of heritage matters within the community.

 The proposed Heritage Protection sub-committee could allow stakeholders a platform to voice their concerns around any proposed development that effected any issues concerning heritage in the Local Government Area.

 The proposed Heritage Protection sub-committee could seek the view of external experts on contentious heritage matters within the Local Government Area.
 The proposed sub-committee could provide considered advice to Council on matters of heritage concern to the community.

 Perhaps provide more light that heat on matters of community concern.  Such advice might lower the noise levels around proposed development around heritage issues that have arisen in recent months.

 In 2010 I wrote an article that appeared in Fairfax Media which I called ‘Heritage, adismal state of affairs’. It was in response to an article by journalist Jonathan Chancellor about the neglected state of Camden’s heritage lists.

 In the article I quoted Sylvia Hales view expressed in the National Trust Magazine that in New South Wales there had been ‘the systematic dismantling of heritage protection’ over the past five years.

 I also quoted the view of Macquarie University geographer Graeme Alpin who wrote in Australian Quarterly that ‘heritage listing at the local level does not provide much protection at all'’.

 I expressed the view at the time that there needed to be a ‘ thorough and considered assessment of historic houses’. And that  'the current political climate in New South Wales is not conducive to the protection of historic houses. Heritage is not a high priority'.

Six years later I have not changed my view.

 The proposed sub-committee could give greater prominence to the Camden Heritage Inventory, similar to Campbelltown Council and Wollondilly Council.

 In 2015 I wrote a post on my blog that I called ‘Camden Mysterious Heritage List’ in frustration after spending a great deal of time and effort trying to find the heritage inventory on the Council’s website. It is still difficult to find.

 In conclusion, the proposed Heritage Protection sub-committee would be a valuable source of advice for council and provide a platform for the community to express their view around heritage issues.

More developments at the Camden Milk Depot

Camden Vale Milk Depot Saga

DA/2016/169 Camden Council

The District Reporter 24 June 2016 p3

There have been more developments in the saga of the Camden Vale Milk Depot story.

Sydney identities Mr Alan Jones and Mr Mark Latham have been drawn into the controversy. 

Listen to a conversation between Alan Jones and Mark Latham on Sydney Radio 2GB and read a letter to the editor of the Camden Narellan Advertiser by concerned resident Mr J Wrigley. 

Mr Jones has stated that he has received a stream of emails and phone calls on this matter and other issues related to the town centre development.

Mr Jones and Mr Latham paid a visit to Camden to inspect what the fuss is all about. Lee Abrahams from The District Reporter has published a story about their visit which has appeared in a recent issue of the newspaper. (24 June 2016)

It is advantageous that according to The District Reporter (11 May 2016) and reports in the Macarthur Chronicle (26 April 2016) the mayor's position on these issues seems to have shifted from her earlier statements about the development. 

Camden Vale Milk Depot (Camden Images)

The handling of this development application by Camden Council has been unfortunate. The notification for the original DA was not publicly advertised in the press and then there seemed to be considerable confusion around the publication exhibition period dates. 

The council's approach on this matter has done nothing to narrow the trust deficit that emerged in 2014 with the community consultation process for the town centre re-development.

The council's continued politicisation of these type of development matters is regrettable. The council needs to build confidence within the community.

Read more on the Camden Vale Milk Depot

Parramatta Heritage Under Threat

Member of the Parramatta Historical Society and National Trust Karen Brown says:

There are 1820s Francis Greenway Parramatta Female Factory buildings in the Cumberland Mental Hospital precinct in North Parramatta that are subject to Nsw Urban Growth rezoning and private sell off.

There is incredible colonial convict history contained within this 30 hectare site on the banks of the Parramatta River that many members of the public wouldn't even know exist seeing as NSW Health use the site as a mental hospital.

The local residents are trying to circulate interest in the sydney residents to attend a community rally to show solidarity and support to stop any new buildings being built and land sold to developers.

The government wants super lots sold to developers and built close to these old buildings. it's hard to show the Government that people care about its importance when many Sydneysiders don't even know these buildings are here to protect.

The North Parramatta Residents Action Group of only 100 or so people are trying to inform Sydneysiders of these plans and hope you will join us for a rally this Sunday 5th June, meeting at 11am at Parramatta Stadium carpark.

For more information about these issues go to  nprag.org

All images K Brown.

Development at Camden Milk Depot site

Development at the historic Camden Milk Depot site

DA/2016/169 Camden Council

The District Reporter 29 April 2016

A major development is planned for the historic Camden Vale Milk Depot site at 11 Argyle Street Camden at the entry to the historic town centre
.
The $8.8 million development was lodged in April 2016 by developer C Meitanis for five restaurants and a car park.

Camden mayor, Councillor Symkoviak has stated that it will transform the site into a restaurant precinct. (Macarthur Chronicle 26 April 2016, p13; Camden Narellan Advertiser, 11 May 2016, p7)

Not everyone agrees with the mayor.

A number of community groups including the Camden Residents Action Group, the Camden Community Alliance and the Camden Historical Society  have objected to the development. (Camden Narellan Advertiser, 11 May 2016, p7; Macarthur Chronicle, 26 April 2016, p.13; The District Reporter, 29 April 2016, p. 3)

Former Camden Council Mr K Hart stated in April that the development would completely change the entry to the town area. (The District Reporter, 29 April 2016, p.3)

Historian Dr I Willis maintains that the development does not conform to Burra Charter principles.
The Burra Charter states:

The Burra Charter provides guidance for the conservation and management of places of cultural
significance (cultural heritage places), and is based on the knowledge and experience of Australia
ICOMOS members. Conservation is an integral part of the management of places of cultural significance and is an ongoing responsibility.

Camden Community Alliance vice-president Ms L Idon stated that the development does fit with the historic centre of the town area. (Camden Narellan Advertiser, 11 May 2016, p.7)

The current industrial building on the site was opened in 1926 and was a milk depot of Camden Park's Camden Vale Milk Company. The plant was regarded at the time as one of the most modern for the scientific treatment of milk. The current building replaced a former timber construction that burnt down in 1926 that was originally built in the 1890s.

Read more 

Janice Johnson Back Then The District Reporter 1 April 2016, 8 April 2016,

Camden Vale Milk Depot, NSW State Heritage Inventory, Click here

The Burra Charter  Revised 2013 Click here  More information at the International Council of Monuments and Sites in Australia Click here

Proposed development for Camden Vale Milk Depot, DA/2016/169 Click here

Elderslie Banksia Scrub - Critically Endangered

Elderslie Banksia Scrub (I Willis)



Threatened
The Elderslie Banksia Scrub is listed as critically endangered under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.


Elderslie Banksia Scrub (I Willis)

Common Species
Coastal banksia, Broad-leaf apple

Elderslie Banksia Scrub (I Willis)

Extent
It occurs on the alluvial sands in the Elderslie area and there is only around 13 hectares left of the scrub.

Threats
The biggest threat is from sandmining in the Elderslie area. The remaining remnants are vulnerable and threatened by invasive weeds.
 

Elderslie Banksia Scrub disturbed by local road (I Willis)

Recovery and Management
There has been efforts to re-vegetate the Elderslie Banksia Scrub at Spring Farm.



Rehabilitation of Elderslie Banksia Scrub (Microclimate)

Read more @

Office of Environment and Heritage Click here

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act (NSW) Click here
Elderslie Banksia Scrub Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion - profile (OEH) Click here

Three ecological communities of the Sydney Basin Bioregion (Aust Govt, Dept of Environt) Click here

Spring Farm, (Dictionary of Sydney) Click here

Final determination as Critically Endangered Ecological Community under the Threatened Species Conservation Act (NSW)  Click here

Camden White Gum- Endangered

Camden White Gums - Endangered

cc Camden White Gum (Wikimedia) 



One of Camden's little known hidden gems is a tree commonly known as the Camden White Gum. This gum tree is named after our local area. It is found along the Nepean River floodplain in the Camden area, as well Bents Basin and the Kedumba Valley in the Blue Mountains. It grows in numbers in these restricted locations but not elsewhere.

Endangered

The species of tree is declared as vulnerable under the Commonwealth Governments endangered species and the NSW threatened species.

History

The flooding of the Burragorang Valley by Warragamba Dam in the 1950s destroyed many trees of the species.

Characteristics

Some individual trees live for over 150 years. Germination of new trees is triggered by floods on the Nepean River which leave a suitable silt deposit for germination of new seedlings.

Threats

These include tree clearing for farming and urban development, increased nutrients in the Nepean River from sewage and runoff, intense bushfires which kill existing trees and weed competition.  

Recovery

In 2020 as part of the New South Wales government's Greening Our City program

The Connecting Camden White Gum project has secured $41,500 to plant 500 genetically diverse Camden White Gum within the Nepean River corridor at Elizabeth Macarthur Reserve and is part of the wider program to plant more than 40,000 trees across Greater Sydney.  (Camden Narellan Advertiser 16 December 2020)

Read more

National Arboretum in Canberra Click here
NSW National Parks Click here

Originally posted 21 April 2016. Updated 17 December 2020.

Camden Vale Milk Depot

Camden Vale Milk Depot/Old Dairy Farmers Co-op Depot

11 Argyle Street Camden

Lot 1, DP 219757

Camden Vale Milk Depot/Dairy Farmers Milk Depot c1970s (Camden Images)

History and Description

The foundation stone was laid in 1926 by Mrs F.A. Macarthur-Onslow, Mayoress of Camden and wife of Camden Vale Milk Co Ltd. The name was later changed to Dairy Farmers Co-operative Milk Co in 1928. They operated the factory until the 1970s.(SHI)

Condition and Use

The Old Dairy Farmer's Co-op Depot has poor to fair integrity and intactness. (SHI)

Heritage Significance

An early dairy of the Camden Vale Milk Co Ltd (later changed to Dairy Farmers). (SHI)

Heritage Listing

Camden Heritage Inventory LEP 2010 Listing Item I3

State Heritage Inventory Built Commercial Listing

Read more

State Heritage Inventory Click here

Commercial Bank Camden NSW

Commercial Bank of Sydney

125 Argyle Street, Camden. Lot 1 DP 986203

Commercial Bank, Argyle Street, Camden NSW (Camden Images)

History and Description

It was built in 1877-78 to the design of G.A. Mansfield, who did much of the CBC's architectural work at that time. The contractor was C. Furner of Camden. A one storey extension added 1972-73 by Architects Laurie and Heath, sympathetically following the style and detail of the original building. (State Heritage Inventory)

A fine example of the late Victorian Bank buildings to be found in country towns of New South Wales. It is in an Italianate style with a fine stone entrance porch to the main elevation and a cast iron balustraded verandah and balcony to its two storeys. The wisteria vine which climbs over the verandah is considered part of the Bank's aesthetic contribution. (SHI)

The building has a hipped shingle roof with a tiled ridgecap and painted chimneys. The entrance door is a timber framed glass sliding door with a highlight window. The building has arched two pane double hung windows. There are french doors to the first floor verandah. (State Heritage Inventory)

The entrance doors have been converted to automatic sliding doors. Airconditioners have been installed. Single storey extension. National Estate Database)

Condition and Use

The building is in good condition. The building is currently occupied by the NAB, and other small businesses. (SHI)

Heritage Significance

An important and noticeable building in a key position on the corner of Camden's two main streets. It continues to be used for its original purpose and well kept over the years. The building is representative of a Victorian Italianate building. It is part of the John Street Group. (SHI) The bank retains good integrity and intactness. (SHI)

Heritage Listing

LEP 2010 item no 112.

State Heritage Inventory (NSW). Built Heritage. Click here

National Estate Database Australian Heritage Commission Click here

Clinton’s Motor Showroom & Garage, Camden.

Clinton’s Motor Showroom & Garage

16 Argyle Street

Camden 2570

Lot 2, DP 1017656

Clintons Car Showroom c.1983 (J Wrigley/Camden Images)

History and Description

The car showroom was built for Clinton Motors, the local Holden dealership, by local builder Mark Jensen in 1947  to coincide with the launch of the new Holden motor car in Australia.  

Jack and William Clinton, who had extensive interests in the Burragorang Valley coalfields, extended their business  into the the motor trade in 1945. William Clinton launched Clintons Distributions which is the pioneering General Motors dealership in the area in 1945. The business became the local General Motors Holden agency at Narellan. They sold Oldsmobiles, Mapleleafs, Buick, La Salle, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Bedford and Vauxhall vehicles. They moved to Camden in 1946 and Barry Clinton became sales manager. (Willis, Clinton Motor Group)

John Wrigley reports that one of the early sales manager was John Smails, service manager Harold Monaghan,  and parts manager Garnet Rofe. In 1949 the dealership sold 65 Holden motor cars. (TDR 7 March 2008)

Condition and Use

The building is currently used as a real estate agency.

Heritage Significance

According to the Camden Heritage Inventory is a rare masonry Art Deco building with large shopfront and wrap around awning. The tower on the front of the building is meant to represent the grille of a Holden car. 

Heritage Listing

Local Item 4

Read more

Ian Willis, Pictorial History of Camden & District (2015)

History of the Clinton Motor Group Click here

Denbigh, Cobbitty, NSW

Denbigh

421 The Northern Road, Cobbitty, NSW 2570

Lot 2001  DP 1139483

Denbigh Homestead c.1990 (Camden Images)

History and Description

The original owner of Denbigh was Charles Hook, who had been imprisoned by the rebel government for supporting Governor Bligh's attempt to control the military in New South Wales. Hook had suffered greatly over the previous events and was in his fifties when he received his grant in 1812 by Governor Macquarie (Bligh's successor). The grant consisted of 1100 acres in the Parish of Cook, located at Cobbitty between the Cowpasture Road and Bringelly Road (later Northern Road). During 1818, Hook and his wife stayed at nearby Macquarie Grove while their own house was being built. The construction of Denbigh house was completed c1822 and Hook began clearing the surrounding land for agricultural use. He died in 1826.

In 1826 the property was growing wheat (60 acres) and maize (23 acres). It was described as including 'a large dwelling house and other convenient out-houses on the farm'. Aborigines held 'tribal rites' in the adjacent paddocks after the house was constructed. A dense grove of olives was planted west of the house pre-1826. A small vineyard was established on a hill to the north of the house pre-1826. A number of mud huts clustered around the main building, surrounded by a 7-8 foot paling fence (all now vanished)(Godden Mackay Logan, 2007, 27).

The property was then purchased by parson Thomas Hassall who began extending the homestead in 1827. It took four and a half years to complete major renovations on the house and service buildings. After its completion, Hassall was joined by his wife and children (Helen Baker, 'Denbigh - Historic Homesteads', Australian Council of National Trusts,1982).

Denbigh homestead resembled a scattered village surrounded mostly by an enclosed landscape with a half circle of hills, five acres of gardens consisting of an abundance of fruit trees, a vineyard and an orange grove with magnificent views from the hills. Together with a wide extent of country, churches were clearly seen at nearby Camden, Narellan and Cobbitty (Hassall, Rev, James S. in 'Old Australia, Records and Reminiscences from 1784', Brisbane, 1902) (SHI)

Condition and Use

Former use was as a working farm & Clydesdal horse stud, dairy farm, vineyards, Ayrshire cattle stud.

The current use is as a working farm & Hereford stud. (SHI)

Heritage Significance

Denbigh is of State significance as an intact example of a continuously functioning early farm complex (1817-1820s) on its original 1812 land grant. It contains a rare and remarkable group of homestead, early farm buildings and associated plantings with characteristics of the Loudon model of homestead siting within an intact rural landscape setting fundamental to its interpretation. The large collection of early farm buildings is perhaps the most extensive and intact within the Cumberland/Camden region.

It has historic associations with pioneering Anglican minister Thomas Hassall and its relationship with the early Heber Chapel and the township of Cobbitty. The estate is significant as an early contact point between Aboriginal and European culture and is of social significance for the descendants of the Hassall and Macintosh families. It retains its historic views across the valley to Cobbitty in the west.

The place is of scientific significance for its potential to reveal, through archaeology, evidence of both early European farming practices and aboriginal occupation. The significance of Denbigh is considerably enhanced by the extent to which it has retained its form, character, fabric and rural setting (Heritage Office).

The Denbigh estate is of exceptional cultural significance for its historical, aesthetic, social and technical values. (SHI)




Denbigh is of historical significance on a state level as an intact example of continuously functioning early farm complex on its original 1812 land grant. (Heritage Office draft)

Heritage Listing

LEP Listing No 48

REP Listing No 48

Heritage Act - State Heritage Register Listing No 01691

National Trust of Australia register No 7311

Read more

State Heritage Inventory Click here