Ray White Real Estate has been granted approval to install a modified corporate logo over the former Goulburn Post signage.
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Councillors decided seven votes to one on Tuesday night to allow the agency to place its sign over the top of Goulburn Evening Penny Post lettering on the building at 199 Auburn Street. Cr Jason Shepherd voted against, while Cr Carol James, also a real estate agent, was a meeting apology for medical reasons.
A consent condition outlines use of a modified 'primrose' yellow on the Ray White logo, following comments by the council's heritage adviser. Under consent conditions, the signage must not interfere with the GEPP sign's structural components, which will be painted over in white. An 'Est 1870' date below will also be painted over. Ray White's 'Est 1903' will be permitted.
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Planners say this will cover the original sign but also preserve it for any future restoration. The owners had wanted to remove it altogether.
It came amid strong debate about Goulburn's CBD heritage and the merits of retaining above awning historical signage. Former Post editor John Thistleton, past photojournalist Darryl Fernance and former manager, Elizabeth Poate opposed planners' recommendation in open forum.
But Ray White principal and building co-owner, Justin Gay, argued he was also a "proud custodian" of the building and its distinctive Art Deco facade.
"I feel as a landlord and commercial property owner we need to invest in and revitalise above awnings in this town," he said
"...As a tenant it's necessary to promote our business and what our family, employees and clients stand for."
He maintained the two different signs had caused confusion in the past six months of trade. Ray White moved into the building after the Goulburn Post relocated to Clinton Street late last year. Mr Gay rejected speakers' suggestions he only needed awning level promotion.
He also pointed to an extensive restoration he'd undertaken and told The Post his company, J Gay Properties, had done more work on the building in two years than the newspaper's owners had carried out in 30 years.
Under questioning, Mr Gay said he would maintain the GEPP lettering if allowed to place the agency's corporate logo, but wouldn't if the DA was rejected.
On Wednesday, he welcomed councillors' decision and said it was important the council supported businesses that backed the city, rather than "putting hurdles in their way."
"It's a good decision and there seems to be a good synergy between councillors and the planning department," he said.
He told The Post it was now up to head office on whether the primrose rather than canary yellow would be accepted.
Mr Gay plans to restore the beacon on top of the building and undertake remedial work on the facade.
'History abounds above awnings'
The beacon and the building were symbolic for Mr Fernance who devoted 30 years to the newspaper.
"The Goulburn Post is a continuum. It is also a recordist of history and as such, deserves to be recognised," he said.
"The 1935 sign speaks to that continuum and we don't want to see it disappear...It is a memorial to those who have served the paper."
He and Mr Thistleton argued that above awning signage provided valuable insight into Goulburn's history. The latter said historical signs could co-exist with the new. Examples included the 1890 Old Fire Station in Montague Street, housing Boyce Accountants, NAB in the old Mechanics Institute, the former Town Hall and the Performing Arts Centre.
"Many more examples can be found in the CBD. Would you allow hiding the Mechanics Institute sign, the Old Fire Station sign or the Town Hall sign?" Mr Thistleton asked.
He said everyone wanted Ray White to thrive but hiding the GEPP 1870 lettering was "inconsistent with appropriate heritage signage."
"Please do not adopt a recommendation that tries but fails to be all things to all people," Mr Thistleton said.
Mrs Poate reinforced these points but also highlighted 'inaccuracies' and 'flaws' in Ray White's consultant reports. Her family company, Macquarie Publications, oversaw an extensive 1993 Goulburn Post restoration, based on 1935 photos.
Mrs Poate rejected consultant's statements that the GEPP sign was only placed in 1993, saying the painted over 1935 lettering was simply exposed. The council's heritage adviser, David Hobbes, had also stated that it "appeared" not be original.
Further, there was no listed author for Ray White's heritage impact report or insight into their qualifications.
She told councillors that GEPP signage would not confuse people; the AMP building no longer housed that business but would always be known as such, as would the CML building, both in Auburn Street.
Mrs Poate argued the Ray White signage didn't comply with five of the council's seven development controls, including that colour and lettering be "appropriate to the building's period."
However, seven councillors weren't swayed. Cr Dan Strickland described the proposed signage as "a good fit" and commended the owner for the restoration. After the meeting, he acknowledged that Ray White had given him space to display his pre-election material in their old building opposite but said this was not a factor in his decision. Several others had also allowed him to do so.
Cr Steve Ruddell said while heritage had to be preserved he feared signage rejection would deter business. Cr Bob Kirk described it as a "rationalised approach" given the newspaper had relocated and there were other instances of above awning business promotion in the CBD.
"I love the history of the place (but) I think the owners of the building have a right to display their corporate image in a modified manner," Cr Kirk said.
But Cr Jason Shepherd voted against, saying there were numerous instances of historic signs above CBD businesses.
"I think the (new) sign will do little to assist his business but that's up to him to weigh up," Cr Shepherd said.
"I don't think it would outweigh the loss of covering up (GEPP)."
On Wednesday, Mrs Poate told The Post she was surprised by the decision and disappointed that councillors weren't more interested in the city's heritage.
"I think it was a done deal. If they were at all interested they would have asked questions (of the speakers)," she said.
"...Painting over something is as good as removing it."
Do you have something to say about this issue? Send a letter to the editor. Click here for the Goulburn Post
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