Background information

2005 Woollahra Contemporary Buildings Study

In 2005, the firm Clive Lucas Stapleton and Partners (CLSP) were engaged by Woollahra Council to assess 23 contemporary works of architecture for potential heritage significance. The focus of their study was "contemporary architecture", meaning, buildings of architectural styles belonging to the later 20th century. The items that formed their study included buildings that had received awards and commendations by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, or through Council’s consultation with persons interested in and knowledgeable about 20th century architecture. A result of that study was that some buildings were assessed, and subsequently not listed on Council's heritage register.

Almost 20 years after that initial study, Woollahra Council recognises that our knowledge and appreciation of modern architecture has expanded, and our method for assessing heritage significance has become more refined and standardised. This has prompted Council to revisit the CLSP study, and re-assess the buildings previously not heritage listed, for potential heritage listing.

2023 review of the Contemporary Buildings Study

In December 2023, Woollahra Council engaged Robertson and Hindmarsh Architects to undertake a review of the 2005 CLSP Contemporary Buildings Study, specifically with regards to reviewing nine (9) buildings that were not heritage listed at that time. The purpose of the review was to identify whether any of the buildings now warrant heritage listing, applying the current Heritage NSW guidelines and criteria, Assessing Heritage Significance (2023). Heritage listing aims to provide ongoing protection and recognition of the heritage significance of these sites.

A Draft Heritage Review was completed in May 2024, and the recommendations in the report identified five (5) properties as meeting the threshold for local heritage listing on the Woollahra Local Environmental Plan 2014, Schedule 5.

  • 'Arlington', 351 and 351a Edgecliff Road, Edgecliff;
  • 'The Penthouses', 58-61 New Beach Road, Darling Point;
  • Still House, 8 Victoria Street, Vaucluse;
  • 'Bibaringa', 349 New South Head Road, Double Bay;
  • 'Baxter', 85 Drumalbyn Road, Bellevue Hill.

Additionally, the report identified the following property as being of State heritage signficance and recommended the site be nominated for listing on the NSW State Heritage Register:

  • 'Arlington', 351 and 351a Edgecliff Road, Edgecliff.

Owner pre-engagement

As an owner of one of the above properties, Council are inviting you to read and comment on the heritage review and associated heritage inventory sheets prepared for each property. You can view and download these documents in the 'document library' on this page. The comprehensive heritage review provides a thoroughly researched development history of each property that builds on the investigations previously undertaken. The heritage inventory sheets provide a detailed description of the heritage significance of each item, with an assessment against the Heritage NSW assessment guidelines and criteria for heritage significance.

We provide this information to you in advance of a report on the proposed heritage listings, which we will submit to a future meeting of the Woollahra Local Planning Panel (LPP). It is anticipated that this meeting will take place in September 2024.

We welcome your feedback

Council welcomes your comments on the heritage review. Please share any feedback or comments by Friday, 30 August 2024. You can provide your comments by email to Eleanor Banaag, Senior Strategic Heritage Officer at eleanor.banaag@woollahra.nsw.gov.au .

All submissions will be considered and reported to Council’s LPP, and the advice of the LPP will then be reported to a future meeting of Council. You will be notified again of the upcoming meetings and you will be provided with an opportunity to address or submit correspondence to the decisions makers. Should the Planning Proposal progress, there will be a formal public exhibition of the proposal. If you would like to stay updated via email, press +Follow at the top of this page.

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