The state government’s plan to revive Sydney’s historic Macquarie Street precinct has been snagged by a move from its federal counterpart placing a giant slab of the city under heritage protection, Planning Minister Rob Stokes says.
“The whole point of Macquarie Street east was to celebrate and improve access to the area. It’s ironic the heritage listing makes it more difficult to celebrate the area,” Mr Stokes said. “And the big boxy annexures tacked onto these sandstone masterpieces are completely out of place. Not only are they ugly, they block access to the Domain,” he said.Mr Stokes agreed that from the back of the Mint, “all you can see is this old 1970s toilet block”.
A Heritage NSW spokesperson said the national listing reinforced the state government’s existing management of the precinct under state heritage legislation.“Most of the primary buildings referenced, and all the area’s archaeology and major parks, are already bound by comprehensive state heritage protections,” the spokesperson said, adding the government’s aspirations for the area strongly aligned with state and federal values.
AngusGthompson These buildings MUST be preserved.