I am surprised that the former editor of the Goulburn Post did not grasp the comments I made regarding Council decisions as the apt headline said "leave people scratching heads". I referred to many decisions. The PAC is paramount, not the exodus of staff from the Civic Centre.
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I have always been a supporter and promoter of the need for a Performing Arts Centre; refer article GP April 22 where I spoke to the council concerned about possible locations for the PAC and parking.
The abomination I referred to was “adding a modern extension to the existing uniqueness of the McDermott Centre”. When renovating historic architecture, it is imperative to try to emulate the textures, style and materials and architecture of the time. This would be astronomically expensive, so the solution would be to leave this architectural jewel as-is and keep it maintained as is our obligation and responsibility and happily return all the user groups.
Architect Alex Popov said in 2017: “The best thing you can do to an old building is to leave it alone. You cannot design heritage".
The council has $4,000,000 set aside to buy Crazy Clints just over the road. I support the idea of the council buying Crazy Clints and demolishing it and building the design which the council promoted at the Q&A meeting Mr Thistleton refers to whereby the community was informed of all the steps the council had taken by demolishing the existing extension of the former Town Hall. Many of the people present at that meeting were onlookers as I personally questioned them. They certainly weren't all there supporting the location and design. Everyone supports the need for a PAC, but not in the location of the McDermott Centre with no parking and taking parking away from the Post Office and interfering with businesses in the main street.
Over the road would resolve the parking issue which has upset many as evidenced by almost 600 signatures collected against the location. The same plans could be used and allow parking and a bus stop in Cartwright Place.
The old Town Hall can breathe a sigh of relief removing the possible damage to the foundations and massive camphor laurel tree in the grounds of the Court House can keep its splendor. As the council now owns the laneway, as a neighbour it can legally request removal of limbs to allow the reversing truck deliveries possibly killing someone. Roses Cafe can operate their business without the interruptions of demolishing and rebuilding. Did our old mate Thomas Whitton delay the archaeological dig?
Tempe Hornibrook, Goulburn
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