Cathedral’s inspiring birthday gift
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A DEVELOPMENT application for a spire to complete the original 1871 design of Sts Peter and Paul’s Old Catholic Cathedral has been lodged with Goulburn Mulwaree Council.
If it consents to the DA with a “flexible” reading of its Local Environmental Plan, the copper-gold coloured spire should be in place for Goulburn’s 150th birthday (as a city) next year.
The long-awaited metal-sheathed spire will rise about 10 metres above the main (Verner St) bell-tower, or almost 34 metres from ground level. Its construction will need Council consent, as 15 metres is now the maximum height allowed for structures in the precinct under the LEP.
The project also needs NSW Heritage Council concurrent approval. The tower, with its massive 142- yearold Murphy of Dublin bell – installed here in 1890 – will first have to be stabilised and restored to take the weight of the spire.
This engineering work would be necessary in any case, because the tower has moved on its foundations over the years and turned towards Verner St. The spire and associated tower and bell refurbishment were recommended in a 1986 NSW Heritage Council conservation management plan for the cathedral.
Goulburn-based heritage architect Garry Dutaillis has completed plans for the project that follow Italian architect Andrea Stombuco’s original master plan for the cathedral. Now, though, the spire will be prefabricated on the ground using modern framing materials and cladding.
It will be lifted onto the tower by crane. Father Dermid McDermott, parish priest of Mary Queen of Apostles parish, told the Goulburn Post he was excited by the prospect of his old cathedral at last being completed to Stombuco’s design.
Fr McDermott said the spire was not meant to soar out of proportion to the overall appearance of the cathedral and its surrounds.
“No, it won’t be out of place at all,” he said.
“The original proportions of the tower and spire were specific, and we’ll respect that.
“The cladding will be copper alloy that will give it a gold tint.” Fr McDermott said the architects’ $145,000 estimated cost of remediating the tower and bell, and erecting the spire might be exceeded, “but not by much.”
In the DA, architects say the cathedral is a heritage item of local, state and national significance. The spire and associated works “hopes to enhance the cathedral and its heritage significance, and fortify the importance of continuing respect to heritage buildings for the next generation.”
The DA says the project will generate jobs, encourage tourism, and reinforce Goulburn’s status as regional centre.
The proposed spire would ensure the scale and density of development complemented the desired future character of (Goulburn’s) commercial core.
“What better way to bring new life to the city’s CBD than to add a spire to the tower of Sts Peter and Paul’s Old Cathedral,” the architects say.
The DA says there are no negative impacts with the proposal. It explains that now-completed remediation of the cathedral’s under-pinnings, drainage and walls had been needed before the proposed next stage could start.
Urging Council take a “flexible approach” to giving consent for the work in relation to the Local Environmental Plan, the DA says: “It would be a sad day if, due to inaction, the tower were to collapse under the weight of the poorly installed bell, or rotated so significantly that it would have to be demolished due to safety concerns.
“The aim of the proposed works is to ensure that Sts Peter and Paul’s Old Cathedral will continue to be one of this nation’s most beautiful heritage items.”
Footnote: While the Old Cathedral (hopefully) finally gets its “missing” crowning glory, the priests stationed there are facing a heavier workload. Fr McDermott, and his assistant, Fr Michael Lim, have had Braidwood added to their area of pastoral and spiritual care.
This follows reallocation of resources by the Canberra-Goulburn diocese, with Bungendore coming under Queanbeyan’s care, as well as Braidwood being included in Mary Mother of Apostles, Goulburn, parish.
“It’ll mean a lot more travelling for us, but it is necessary,” Fr McDermott said. It also means a change in Mass times from 8am to 7am at North Goulburn for parishioners and priests.