MEDIA RELEASE - EMBARGOED UNTIL THURSDAY MARCH
5TH, 2015
STATE HERITAGE LISTED PROPERTIES UNDER IMMEDIATE THREAT
IN MILLERS POINT AND THE ROCKS, SYDNEY.
National Trust of Australia (NSW) says the sale of 293 heritage buildings in Millers Point is
the most devastating attack on Australia’s nationally significant heritage since The Rocks
were saved in the 1960s.
National Trust of Australia (NSW) CEO Brian Scarsbrick warns rare heritage – some
buildings dating back to 1820 – are being sold with no contractual heritage protection. He
says all political parties should state their policy on this issue highlighting a ‘test sale’ of
nine of these precious heritage properties which has produced disturbing results.
The Millers Point sale of 293 heritage buildings is the most devastating attack on Australia’s
nationally significant heritage, since Jack Mundey working with the National Trust, saved The Rocks’
unique heritage during the 1960s.
“Australia’s rare heritage provides a vital “sense of place” for communities. Selling off heritage
buildings, some dating back to 1820 (only 32 years after the First Fleet arrived), with no contractual
heritage protection, exposes that precious heritage to destruction and loss”, stated Brian Scarsbrick
AM, CEO of the National Trust of Australia (NSW).
Graham Quint , Director of Advocacy, National Trust said “You just could not imagine the area of
Montmartre in Paris being sold off without heritage protection, the old town centre of Prague or
Bath in England being sold off and damaged. It is happening right now in Sydney's old quarter”.
The National Trust of Australia (NSW) says irreplaceable properties that go back to Sydney's colonial
roots are being sold not properly protected. It highlights the Millers Point area is not just built
heritage, it is social heritage. For 200 years, it has been the home and workplace for merchants,
shipping companies and waterfront workers and many of the people still there are descendants
together with a range of public housing tenants.
The National Trust of Australia (NSW) is calling on all political parties to clearly state their policy
on the protection and conservation of our nationally significant Millers Point/The Rocks.
The National Trust is not against the sale of the Millers Point properties- but it is against the
inadequate conditions and manner of sale which fails to protect the heritage values of the
properties. This heritage destruction must be stopped and the Trust is asking the community to
stand up against this inappropriate selling off of public assets.
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Graham Quint said, “History shows that selling properties in The Rocks area on 99 year leases results
in only a 5% - 10% discount and the assets can return to the public estate at a greatly increased
value after the lease expires.”
“We are deeply alarmed at the damage facing the 293 State heritage listed properties located at
Millers Point,” said Brian Scarsbrick.
A “test sale” of nine of these heritage properties, sold outright before Christmas on freehold title
with no contractual obligation to protect their heritage value, has produced disturbing results.
Brian Scarsbrick added, “Already a third of the properties sold in the “test sale” are subject to
unauthorised works and Sydney City Council has issued stop work notices.”
The National Trust of Australia (NSW) says more than $700 million worth of public heritage assets
are being sold freehold and not as in the past, on 99 year leases where approvals to undertake works
had to be obtained from the owner – the government. The current freehold sales of the properties
have no contractual obligations to ensure that conservation works are approved and carried out in a
timely manner using qualified heritage architects.
Brian Scarsbrick stated, "These properties could easily be sold on 99 year leases which would involve
purchasers being contractually obligated to protect the properties' heritage values. They should
remain 'in the public estate' and return to the Government in 99 years at massively increased values.
Properties could be sold and the Government and the NSW public benefits now and later on. This
area is a rich part of the fabric of Sydney located close to The Rocks and its wealth of State heritage
listed buildings”.
The heritage significance of the oldest surviving, continuously inhabited urban residential precinct in
Australia’s European settlement history deserves the better protection that 99 year leasehold sales
can provide.
-EndsMedia Enquires:
Media Key on 03 9769 6488 or 0409 420 112 (Ross Woodward)
Mr Graham Quint, Director of Advocacy, National Trust Of Australia (NSW)
E: gquint@nationaltrust.com.au M: 0421 428 667
Mr Brian Scarsbrick AM, CEO, National Trust of Australia (NSW)
E: bscarsbrick@nationaltrust.com.au M: 0418 440 475
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