Bronte Beach Heritage Society

PO Box 1332, Bondi Junction, NSW 2022

Minutes of the Committee of the Bronte Beach Heritage Society

Wednesday July 16

Bronte RSL

Present: Paula Masselos (president and chair)

Graeme Greenup

Alma Jarvis

Coleen O’Neill (nominated and approved at meeting)

Sue Lowe

Apologies: None

Meeting opened by the President 7.10pm

Minutes of previous meeting adopted without amendment.

Business Arising:

Change of Treasurer: Lucy Weir tendered her resignation which was accepted with regret. Virginia Milson has generously agreed to be treasurer and will register her signature with the bank.

Correspondence:

Letter to Kim Anson, General Manager Waverley Council, dated 26 June introducing society and expressing support for Council determination in relation to DA for 55A Gardyne Street, Bronte – to be appealed in Court.

BBHS offer to appear as witness at the hearing.

Decision taken to organise a meeting with Kim Anson to build relationship and develop role for society to be heard in ongoing DA approval/rejection process at Council.

Also to push for full time Heritage Officer at Council. (Colin Brady only two days per week.)

Paula and Sue to attend – date to be arranged.

Press Release on establishment of BBHS to Bronte Express was written and submitted to the Bronte Express. As it was not published, Coleen is to contact Duncan Horscroft (editor of Bronte Express) to negotiate publication of our press release for the next issue.

Heritage Issues

Leo Schofield has drafted a story on Sonoma for the Bronte Express. It is expected to be published in the next edition.

Graeme to contact Colin Brady, Council Heritage officer, regarding progress on Sonoma case.Try to negotiate BBHS representation at Court. Possibility of BBHS contacting owner discussed.

Depending on outcome of above, Paula to contact Peter Lucas direct to discuss alternatives to current application, before Land & Environment Court hearing some time in September.

Regarding future DA applications of Heritage significance – need to make sure we are aware of them as they come up.

Precinct executives are routinely informed of Das, and BBHS has representatives on both Bronte and Bronte Beach precincts.

However, decision taken that BBHS must remain, and be seen to remain, independent of precinct groups.

BBHS should be seen to be more subjective in its selection of the Heritage-related issues it takes action on. Should aim to be perhaps more historically informed and heritage oriented in its submissions to Council.

Re: DA for 57 Gardyne Street – (Application to subdivide and remove part of stone wall for garage access – similar to 55A).

Sue Lowe to write draft submission to council – property represents ‘quintessential Bronte character’ which needs to be preserved. Stone walls characteristic of Bronte scenic foreshores.

While we acknowledge land size allowable under existing sub division rules, subdivision would be inappropriate given Heritage significance and should be rejected.

Property should be preserved as is and an application for Heritage listing made. Recommend a moratorium on DAs while Heritage applications in process.

Draft to be forwarded for committee approval a.s.a.p.

Re: Heritage Listings in general.

All existing Heritage Listed buildings, structures and streetscapesare listed in council Local Environment Plan)

Also get advice from Council on details and status of new Heritage Listing applications.

Working proposal: the “interest boundaries” of the BBHS –are those of the Bronte Basin as viewed from the beach up to Charing Cross ridge.

Thus approximately bounded by Birrell St in the north and including Waverley Cemetery to the south. Subject to review.

Ideas: Develop a ‘Shame’ list - developments that have damaged Bronte’s heritage value,

many recent examples.

Possible ‘Blackspot’ underground campaign to publicly highlight bad decisions. Black spots painted on pavements of offending developments and public listing.

Decision made to delay gimmicky campaigns until established credibility.

Oral Histories

General agreement that Rosemary Block – oral history trainer from National Library - was wonderful. She has offered future sessions on demand.

Paula to call a meeting of the 10 people who received training (list tabled) and other interested parties – to refine questionnaire and develop list of ‘target’ interviewees.

Also to practice interview techniques.

Committee Vacancies

Coleen O’Neill voted in as ordinary member. Proposed by GG, seconded AJ.

Virginia Wilson voted in as new treasurer. Proposed GG, seconded AJ.

Membership.

Current membership stands at 21.

Need to organise official launch of BBHS and leverage for membership drive.

Members to continue to pass the word around.

Fund Raising/Launch

Ask Leo Schofield to host official launch at Bronte House. Leo might show his collection of old photographs of Bronte. Date to be decided – GG to talk to LS

Ideas for fundraising on or after that event:

Arrange exhibition of local artists' work – BBHS could take percentage of proceeds of sales.

BBQ at Bronte, auctions, other ideas discussed.

Sunset tour of Waverley Cemetery.

Silvertail version of tour with wine etc in cemetery $50/head

Cheaper tours to be offered on ongoing basis for students etc

Alma to call and find out if previous tours are still running – who takes them.

Other Business:

Media planning – Sue, Paula and Coleen to meet – date to be arranged.

Next Meeting: Wednesday August 11, 7.00pm, Bronte RSL.

To Be Actioned:

Sue to prepare draft submission re: DA for 57 Gardyne Street to be forwarded to committee. ASAP

Paula to arrange meeting with Kim Anson, Waverley Council.

Coleen to contact Bronte Express to get press release in next issue.

Graeme to contact Colin Brady regarding progress on court case or conciliation with Peter Lucas, Sonoma.

Paula to call an Oral Histories meeting.

Graeme to negotiate date for launch event with Leo Schofield.

Alma to call and find out if previous cemetery tours are still running – who takes them

Media planning – Sue, Paula and Coleen to meet – date to be arranged.