Question Without Notice No. 549 asked in the Legislative Council on 17 August 2010 by Hon Lynn Maclaren
Parliament: 38 Session: 1
549. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister representing the Minister for Heritage:
(1) Is the minister aware of the community concerns about the deterioration of the condition of the fire-damaged heritage-listed Guildford Hotel?
(2) Has the minister directed the Heritage Council to facilitate a solution to this issue?
(3) What has the Heritage Council done to date to facilitate a solution?
(4) What are the requirements for owners of heritage-listed buildings regarding—
(a) maintenance; and
(b) restoration?
(5) Are any powers available to the minister or other authorities to compel the owners to protect the building from damage through exposure to weather?
(6) If no to (5), how will the minister act to protect this precious icon?
Hon PETER COLLIER replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)-(2) Yes.
(3) The Heritage Council of WA, through the Office of Heritage, provided the owners with advice on the extent of heritage fabric that could be retained immediately following the fire. It has also commissioned a structural engineer to provide a report on the condition of the building, which was also provided to the owners. The Office of Heritage assessed and supported the owners’ proposed works to stabilise and make the building safe as required by the City of Swan. It continues to liaise with and assist the owners and the local government with heritage advice as plans for redevelopment of the Guildford Hotel are progressed by the owners and their consultants.
(4) (a) No minimum maintenance standards are imposed on owners by the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990.
(b) To ensure that the heritage values of a place entered in the State Register of Heritage Places are protected, a local government authority is required to seek the advice of the Heritage Council prior to approving a development application for any proposed works. This process enables the Heritage Council to assess whether the proposed works will deliver the best heritage outcome for the place and provide such advice to the local government to assist its decision making.
(5) No powers are available to the Minister for Heritage or the Heritage Council under the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990 to compel an owner to protect the building from damage due to exposure to weather.
(6) The Minister for Heritage has met with the owners, who have assured him of their intention to conserve and restore the hotel. The owners have also, on a number of occasions, made public commitments to the restoration of the Guildford Hotel, including the delivery of a hotel function in the heritage building. Through the Heritage Council and directly, the Minister for Heritage will continue to encourage the owners to progress their plans for redevelopment of the site as quickly as is practicable. The Heritage Council will continue to provide heritage advice and support to promote the best heritage outcome for the place.