The Rocky Hill War Memorial Museum is getting a facelift.
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The upgrade, supported by all levels of government for years, has and will be supported. However, what may cause some conflict is the very designs itself.
Released by Sydney based Crone Architects on Tuesday, the new proposed museum is a modern, innovative, glass structure.
Here comes the problem with an old city like Goulburn looking squarely across into the horizon of the future. Recreating traditional buildings and designs feels backwards, despite the constant shadow throughout the city.
Rocky Hill is bigger than the volunteers (pictured) or the tourists expected to travel through the city. It represents one of many poignant historical peaks in Goulburn’s past. The private land was generously donated by WJ Bartlett and the stone which lines the wall of the memorial, built thanks to public subscription, was the road base.
Even the current museum, previously owned by the caretaker, echoes the community spirit and connection of the land to its people.
Historical relevance is a wonderful thing and should never be forgotten, however when looking at the new designs, which may at first appear alien, remember that this is for the future generation who will one day see it as a slice of their past.
Not so smart move
High Speed Rail could very well become a reality under CLARA’s plan, after years of talking about “that old chestnut.”
It has seemed the unreachable dream for more than 30 years for many pining a fast and efficient rail service. Australia is behind the times thanks to too much political inertia.
But CLARA still has to convince the federal government its project is best. Little doubt its ‘value capture’ method, levying developers to build along the corridor, accords with federal thinking.
They have argued it is the only way to construct such a massive project. Yet this very model could also disadvantage Goulburn. It’s hard to believe CLARA chairman Nick Cleary’s assurances that a city of 400,000 people to our north won’t impact economically and socially.
In the quest to finally deliver high speed rail, the government should not rush headlong into eight smart cities that compromise existing regional development.