The Minister responsible for Heritage Don Harwin has directed urgent legal action at the former Kenmore Psychiatric Hospital site to protect, secure, and prevent further dilapidation of the site.
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A fire in Ward 15 of the female accommodation on October 16 2021 destroyed the building, further exacerbating concerns regarding the site's state of disrepair.
Kenmore is the first purpose-built complex for mental health care in rural NSW. It is also the largest example of the work of WL Vernon (the first Government Architect).
Recent inspections by Heritage NSW found significant damage and a deplorable lack of care across many of the seventy historic buildings that make up this State heritage-listed precinct.
"As numerous attempts to contact owner Australia China International Pty Ltd have been unsuccessful, I directed Heritage NSW to do everything in the Government's power to force them to do the work required of them to repair the site, to secure the fire-destroyed building, and to prevent access to the grounds by trespassers," MP Harwin said.
"Heritage NSW issued a section 120 Order on 26 November to the owners, requiring them to 'take immediate and active measures to redress disrepair or risk to a listed place.
"After a another site inspection on 2 December 2021 that revealed no works had been carried out, I have further directed Heritage NSW to take urgent steps to enforce the Orders.
"This will include the agency undertaking the preliminary make-safe works, with costs to be recovered from the owner through the Courts if necessary."
Member for Goulburn, Wendy Tuckerman MP, supports the Heritage NSW actions following prolonged community concern for the protection of this special place.
"This is a reprehensible lack of care for a heritage asset that is much loved by the community and of high significance to the State," she said.
"State heritage-listed property owners must abide by the statutory requirements of maintenance and repair, as required under the Heritage Act."
The Goulburn Post had made numerous unsuccessful attempts to contact the owner Australia China International Pty Ltd.
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