Metro heritage principles unveiled

The CBD Metro project will build on the city’s heritage and historic character, said Transport Minister David Campbell as he unveiled the final heritage principles for the project.

Mr Campbell said Sydney Metro had worked with the National Trust to develop the principles. The set of guidelines covered heritage assessment, conservation, construction and design.

“The heritage principles were developed by Sydney Metro in consultation with community and peak groups including the National Trust, to get the best heritage outcomes for Metro in Sydney,” Mr Campbell said in a statement.

Ian Carroll, President of the National Trust of Australia (NSW), defended his organisation’s controversial decision not to list a number of buildings in the proposed Pyrmont station as heritage buildings.

“The Trust did not want to become the heritage police for every station along the expanded network,” Mr Carroll said.

“It therefore sought to negotiate and enshrine heritage principles that could be incorporated into the construction contract. The heritage principles are high level rules that will govern the design and construction of metro stations.”

Jean Stuart, co-convener of Pyrmont Action, said she was disappointed with the Trust’s position on the Metro project.

“I think they [the State Government] were concerned at the community pressure not to destroy the heritage buildings in Union Square and in Rozelle and I think they teamed up with the Trust to see if they could walk a way around it,” Ms Stuart said.

“And quite frankly we do not think the Trust should be cooperating and negotiating with the developer but they should be preserving the heritage by asking them to find an alternative sites for the station entrances.”

by Ehssan Veiszadeh