When heritage becomes a big word, even in the Ku-ring-gay

"They are trying to prevent any form of development," says Stig Falster, whose Mona Vale Road property should be part of a proposed heritage conservation area.

Not correct, said Ku-Ring-Gai Mayor Jennifer Anderson.

"It's not about stopping development … it's about balancing the identity of the best Ku-ring-gai areas that meet the threshold of heritage conservation areas and ensuring their protection. said Cr Anderson.

The contours of the conflict began to appear about a year ago, when the council, which faces the state government 's request to add 4,000 additional housing by 2021, has proposed exhibitions to create new HCAs covering more than 800 homes.

The Ku-ring-gay, like many of Sydney, already includes many HCAs and individually heritage properties. (If your home is in a SAC, you will probably need to contact consultants and heritage architects if you are considering changing the property externally.)

But many residents – and even council staff – have since expressed skepticism about whether all the properties marked in one ear deserve additional protections.

"I led the charge against this whole list unjustly and without due process," said another advisor, Cedric Spencer.

The result has been a divided board, aggravated residents and a struggle to determine the issue.

At Tuesday night's meeting, the board decided that five of the HCAs – some of which had already been adopted and then rejected at subsequent meetings – would not be implemented. This decision followed a staff recommendation that some areas, due to renovations and redevelopments, did not deserve HCA status.

But the council's policy on other HCAs, including a large tract of West Pymble, remains undecided. The board is facing a deadline early next month to file the proposed changes with the state government.

Comments on West Pymble's proposal, which would cover hundreds of existing homes, highlight the diversity of feelings.

More than three-quarters of the 175 proposals submitted to the council objected to the extension of the conservation area. These submissions originated mainly from homeowners concerned that the listing would affect their ability to modify properties. this list would reduce the value of the land; and that many properties in the area had already been significantly modified.

But there was also support. A respondent who had left the area, for example, advocated protections so that they could finally come back to enjoy the "Pyxble Garden Environment and Bush Environment."

"The majority of our experienced health workers have a high regard in the community," said Mayor Cr Anderson.

"It is in the public interest for future generations," she said.

"Unfortunately, sometimes people with a private interest want this interest to take precedence over the public interest. In these situations, conflicts are common. "

This position enjoys some support within the profession of architect.

"The areas examined deserve to be taken into account," said Andrew Nimmo, NSW President of the Australian Institute of Architects.

"HCAs are the backbone of good conservation in LGAs. They do not prevent development, but prevent the global reversal / reconstruction of the type of those who have damaged other areas like Strathfield, "Nimmo said.

Mr. Larson, however, says the recent Ku-ring-gay process has "made the parody of the heritage list".

"If a house is deemed worthy to be listed, let the board come forward, examine it carefully and tell it that it's a heritage," she said. he declared. "Otherwise, it's bullshit … do not just throw a blanket over it."