Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today in reference to 369 Bronte Rd, Bronte - Sonoma.

I am representing the Bronte Beach Heritage Society which was established by residents of the Waverley local government area. Our major priority is to help protect, maintain and record the heritage of Bronte - a rich heritage which, over the years, has had a consistent and magnetic pull for many people wishing to live here and to visit.

As a heritage listed property, Sonoma is an important priority for the Society. A late Victorian single story residence, it is a substantially in tact residence which is in a landmark position opposite another important heritage listed property. Situated at the top of the hill leading down to the beach, Sonoma and 424 Bronte Rd provide a type of gateway which all travellers to the beach cannot help but to see. We believe this entrance into the Bronte Beach area sets a tone, is reflective of the quintessential nature of Bronte and honours our historic past.

The current owners of Sonoma bought it in the full knowledge that it was heritage listed; bringing with it important obligations to both Council and to the community in restoring this property. It is with a good degree of concern that we note the deterioration of Sonoma brought about by neglect. The subsequent threat of demolition as a result of this neglect is, in the eyes of the Society, completely unacceptable.

Waverley Council is to be applauded for its commitment to preserving our heritage. However, the Society believes that we need to support and encourage Council to stand firm and true in the protection of the listed items.

Many people now see Bronte as a cash cow, an opportunity to make a fast buck – often at the expense of the values and vision for our community. Ironically, those very values which attract people into the area are those that we are losing through over development and inappropriate development. Heritage items are often perceived as easy pickings – buy cheap, demolition through neglect, and once again, another historic gem is lost to us.

What is ironic, is that it is now well documented that restored heritage homes and gardens bring significant advantages including an increase in property values. I look forward to the time when our Bronte residents and developers understand this fact. And we take the opportunity here to encourage Council to employ a full time Heritage consultant to assist with this process of education, listing and advice.

The proposed compromise DA submitted by the owner, is, to the mind of the Society still not wholly in the spirit of the heritage value of the site. As a property, Sonoma is placed within a garden setting which further adds to its charm, beauty and significance. However, as we are primarily concerned to save it, we grudgingly concede that the proposed residential flat building be agreed to.

However, the Society urges Council that it must, as much as possible, act to ensure the entirety of the listed property, including its garden, be preserved. We are concerned that not to do so will, over time, erode the relevance of the listing and undermine Council's authority – setting dangerous precedents.

However, the Society notes the recommendation before Council.
The occupation certificate for any part of the residential flat building may not be issued and the strata subdivision certificate will not be released until after the occupation certificate for the heritage item (Sonoma) is issued. The occupation certificate for the heritage item is not to issue until the approved heritage works to Sonoma are carried out to the satisfaction of an experienced heritage architect, listed with the NSW Heritage Office.

We wish to support this position and request that the motion be amended to ensure that Sonoma is to be fully restored to the satisfaction of Council's Heritage Officer, not just that of an experienced heritage architect listed by the Heritage Office.

Further, that the Society reiterates the need to ensure that the restoration of Sonoma is in its entirety as a house rather than be subdivided as flats.

Finally, we submit that the replacement of the verandah and balustrading be done so in keeping with the late Victorian style of the building, including the preservation of the front yard area. In this respect, we do not support the proposed garage as it is completely out of keeping with the heritage values of the house.

Thank you for the opportunity to present.