Development fears for historic Duntrim

Darling Point residents are protesting a development application requesting permission to demolish Duntrim, an historic property on Darling Point Road that currently houses the Sydney Dialysis Centre.

Led by Gabrielle Upton of the Darling Point Society, residents have submitted dozens of objections, urging Woollahra Council to consider the heritage value of the building and the general streetscape of the surrounding area.

“Within that vicinity there are some quite historic homes,” said Ms Upton.

Residents also fear the demolition is only the beginning of a much larger plan for the site, given the size and location of the property. “The application directly refers to residential development yet purposely says that it is not asking for approval for residential development,” said Ms Upton. “It is being opened for all potential and possible redevelopment.”

The DA was lodged by NSW Health, which is the current owner and operator of Duntrim and the Sydney Dialysis Centre. All indications point towards eventual sale of the site should approval for demolition be granted. The Sydney Dialysis Centre would likely be moved to the Royal North Shore Hospital redevelopment next year.

Designed by well-known Eastern Suburbs architect Maurice B Halligan and built in 1911, it is believed the foundations of at least one of the buildings at Duntrim may date back to an 1852 Victorian mansion that originally existed on the site. The property has been home to a renal dialysis unit for almost 30 years.

Woollahra Council is currently waiting for a final report from the heritage officer before the DA is submitted to the next council meeting for consideration.

– By Hamish Boland-Rudder