Greens call for Minister to stop demolition of Mortdale's heritage listed Masonic lodge

"It is simply unacceptable for Hurstville Council to demolish a building that has been assessed and listed by the Council itself as worthy of heritage protection,” said Ms Hale.

"Most people would be shocked that a building on the Council’s heritage register can be demolished, especially in the face of strong community opposition expressed via petitions, submissions and a packed Council meeting.

"The people of Hurstville municipality must be appalled when, by nine votes to one, Councillors agreed to demolish one of only two heritage-listed buildings in Mortdale in order to build a car park in an area where the existing car park is mostly underutilised.

"I have written to the Minister for Planning asking him to use his powers under Section 32 of the Heritage Act to step in and save the Masonic Temple from demolition. Surely it is the role of the Minister responsible for protecting heritage in NSW to do just that.

"The Government’s repeal of Concurrence and Referral Provisions 2008, which required Councils to seek approval before delisting heritage items, was opposed by both the Greens and the Opposition. The Minister is now relying on that repeal to avoid his responsibilities.

“If the Minister has 'no obligation' to protect this and other buildings on local government heritage lists, as he claims, then heritage protection is meaningless. All the Government is doing is perpetrating a fraud on the people of NSW.

"I believe the community of Mortdale, Hurstville and indeed more broadly expects every level of government to protect our built and natural heritage. By simply washing its hands of the matter the State Government sends out a message that it is indifferent to that heritage.

"The community are very lucky indeed to have Councillor Anne Wagstaff who has spoken up strongly for residents on this and many other issues. It will be a good day indeed when other councillors represent the community as well as Councillor Wagstaff.

"Residents are concerned that the demolition of the former Lodge may simply be a paving of the way for high density housing on the site. Hurstville Council must state emphatically that this is not its intention and back this up by rezoning the land to prevent its use for residential development,” said Ms Hale.

Contact: Colin Hesse on 02 9230 3030 or 0401 719 124

Or Councillor Anne Wagstaff on 9580 7919 or 0434 327 850