Preservation order for Northbourne public housing sets dangerous precedent

Preservation order for Northbourne public housing sets dangerous precedentThe Heritage Council’s decision to list half of the Northbourne public housing precinct has been criticised by the Property Council of Australia.According to the Property Council’s ACT Executive Director, Catherine Carter, protecting one of the Dickson Towers, alongside one pair of the houses, three storey flats, maisonettes and garden flats, sets a dangerous precedent.”These buildings represent poor quality examples of Canberra architecture, and heritage listing them is a terrible outcome for the people of Canberra,” Ms Carter says. “Our primary objection to the heritage listing is not the buildings’ unsightliness on the entryway to Canberra – although this is undoubtedly the case.”Our primary objection is that listing these buildings sets a dangerous precedent for the future. Do we really want to preserve this type of building for future generations, given they didn’t adequately meet the needs of former generations?”The planned 160-apartment complex may now need to be scaled back, and the vision for the area must be reframed. We need a new strategic plan which outlines how these buildings will be re-lifed and incorporated into the urban regeneration of the area – and that includes how we are going to fund a substantial renovation to bring them up to contemporary standards. We call on the ACT Government to outline a new strategic plan,” Ms Carter says.”The property industry is committed to preserving our prized heritage buildings – the Canberra Glassworks, the Hotel Acton and the R M Hope building are just three examples. Celebrating our history and preserving significant buildings is essential as we enhance our city. But holding on to ageing relics that offer little in the way of amenity or aesthetics is not,” Ms Carter concludes.Media contact: Catherine Carter, ACT Executive Director, 6248 6902 or 0412 330 079