WINGECARRIBEE Council has overturned approval of eight new shops near the Robertson Inn, following heartfelt addresses from Cr Jim Mauger and Cr Larry Whipper at Wednesday’s meeting.
Cr Whipper moved that the August 12 approval be rescinded after Council’s heritage advisor Dr Peter Kabaila warned that the proposal would erode the harmony of the Robertson streetscape.
In a letter to Council, Dr Kabaila said the proposal was unacceptable and the best path for the applicant would be to withdraw it.
“This is the heart of Robertson we are talking about,” Cr Whipper said.
“…Just because it’s not a Harper’s Mansion doesn’t mean it has no heritage value.
“Robertson is quite an important part of the shire and I think we need to recognise its heritage and contribution it has made over our history.”
Cr Whipper said Dr Kabaila’s advice raised the question about why the 122-year-old Robertson Inn was not listed on council’s heritage register.
“If it had been, we would not have been in this position tonight,” he said.
Another example of a building not on the heritage register was the original Port O’ Call Hotel, Bowral’s oldest brick building, which was demolished before Council realised its significance, Cr Whipper said.
Supporting Cr Whipper’s motion, Cr Mauger said the Robertson streetscape was his “heart and soul”.
“My dad and granddad on both sides, when there was a dirt road in front of the pub and horses tied up in front, my ancestors were there,” he said.
“…I know it’s a hotchpotch old thing and I’ve been responsible for some of it, but still we have got to live with it, just like you have got to live with me.”
While agreeing that the heritage advice should have been provided earlier, Deputy Mayor Ken Halstead said many of the points raised by Dr Kabaila could be addressed through conditions of consent.
Mayor Duncan Gair agreed, pointing out that the application had already been already been debated twice and deferred once before it was approved.
But Cr Whipper argued that the development would have a social as well as aesthetic impact on Robertson.
“I have counted 11 empty shops in Robertson,” he said. “To approve something and to have more empty shops sitting there for so long, I don’t think is a responsible thing to do.
“I want to walk down the street of Robertson knowing I have done the best for the community I live in that I can do.
“…I’m not saying don’t build anything. What I’m saying is let’s get it right.
“Councillors, if you vote against this, hang your head in shame: What’s heritage? What’s any of it mean?”
Council voted to meet with the applicant to discuss the merits of resubmitting an amended application.
Cr Gair and Cr Paul Tuddenham voted against the rescission.