By BARRY JENNINGS
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
THE historic ruins of the 1821 Government House will be covered with concrete and built over under a new plan for the Clarence St site.
A level of car parking and four levels of residential units comprising 16 three-bedroom apartments on top of the carpark are planned.
Development manager Steve Martyn confirmed the plan, saying NSW Planning and the NSW Heritage Office had agreed and approved this concept.
The developers are working toward a new development application for the site, with the expectation of Hastings Council approval and completion of the project by the end of next year.
Friends of Port Macquarie's Archaeological Heritage spokeswoman Elaine Van Kempen said it appeared the opportunity to preserve the ruins for future viewing had been lost.
She said the latest outcome was a "last ditch stand" for the owners.
She slammed the state government for "behaving abominably".
She said a totally different outcome would be achieved if the ruins had been found in Sydney.
"There is an absolute lack of understanding toward heritage in regional areas," Mrs Van Kempen said.
Mr Martyn said the latest concept was "an outcome but not a good outcome" and "appears viable to a point".
"NSW Heritage has signed off on the concept and we have it in writing," he said.
He said the new design was provided by the Urban Design and Advisory Service within the NSW Planning Ddepartment.
Mr Martyn confirmed the capping of the ruins would "retain the heritage" but not provide for its display.
As well as a full level of carparking above the ruins, other parking will be provided off Clarence St where the former shops had fronted the street.
The new building will have both a Clarence St and School St access.
Hastings Council confirmed the capping concept at its meeting on Monday night.
The council expects a revised development application from the developers in the near future.
The council's general manager Bernard Smith said the council had to "wait and see" what eventuated in any DA put forward for consideration.
He said the most likely scenario was that the ruins would be hidden undergound and left there for any further development to deal with in decades to come.
Mrs Van Kempen said the only saving grace was that the ruins would stay on the site.
The site has had a controversial history since the foundations of Government House were uncovered in March last year following demolition of the Central Views Motel.