The Goulburn community can have little faith the state government will act meaningfully on Kenmore Hospital's heritage.
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After all, it was the State that sold off the former psychiatric facility for a song - $3 million - in a process shrouded in secrecy and false promises in 2005.
Former Premier Bob Carr made a special visit in 2003 to trumpet the sale and its "$150 million injection into the economy, 500 new jobs and 200 construction roles."
Despite very valid questions over the paltry price for the 75-hectare site, we were constantly told the decision was based on "best value for money and long-term economic and social benefits to Goulburn."
Fifteen years on we are still waiting for those benefits to materialise. Thanks to the contract's looseness and nothing binding successive owners to enhance Kenmore's heritage, the place has gone to rack and ruin. The only exception to this was a flurry of maintenance under Lila Chan's ownership.
There have been three master plans furnished to the council under three owners and nothing delivered.
Heritage NSW' says it has contacted the owner regarding his obligation to manage the site in accordance with the Heritage Act's "minimum standards." That's a bit like hitting him with a wet lettuce.
These standards only go to essential maintenance and repair, security and "protection from fire, damage and deterioration."
It's something, but a far cry from what was promised and what these fine buildings deserve under their State Heritage Listing.
Four years on from purchase, Australia-China International Holdings Pty Ltd has done little to arrest the decline. A groundsman has been appointed but clearly security and vandalism has been an ongoing problem.
It remains to be seen whether the owner has any intention of developing the site. Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman tells us he is sounding out parties that may have interest in the property.
That's despite his representative saying in 2017 that retirement living, an education facility and accommodation for government services were likely. The owner wanted to involve the community and be as "transparent as possible." His CEO assured us the company was here for the long term.
That Kenmore's outstanding old buildings have been neglected so badly is more than a "crying shame." It has been a dereliction of oversight and an exercise in poor judgment by the state government.
Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman may well be "shocked, saddened and angered" by their current state.
But in the end they are just words. The rot started with the state government and if it is to have any credibility, it must act strongly to stop the deterioration.
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