Rose Bay Schools Heritage Assessment

In June 2023, Council staff commissioned consultants Artefact Heritage to investigate the heritage significance of the Rose Bay Public School and McAuley Catholic Primary Schools as part of the Rose Bay Public School and McAuley Catholic Primary School Heritage Assessments. The purpose of the Draft Study was to provide information regarding the historic values of each site, and identify if any of the sites contained significant cultural heritage values to warrant listing at either the local or state level. The draft study included the following:

• a comprehensive historical analysis of both school sites;
• internal and external site inspections of all buildings on each site;
• a robust comparative analysis of other relevant school examples.

A draft Heritage Assessment report was submitted to Council in January 2024 and the recommendations in the report identify that the following buildings meet the threshold for local heritage listing on the Woollahra LEP 2014, Schedule 5. Heritage listing aims to provide the ongoing protection and recognition of the heritage significance of these sites.

At Rose Bay Public School, it was assessed that Building E meets the significance criteria for its historical, associational, aesthetic, rarity and representative values. It is proposed that this building is locally heritage listed.

At McAuley Catholic Primary School, it was assessed that the former Christian Brothers College building meets the significance criteria for its historical, associational, aesthetic, rarity and representative values. It is proposed that this building is locally heritage listed.

Advice of the Woollahra Local Planning Panel

The draft Heritage Assessment was considered by the WLPP on 18 April, 2024. The WLPP reviewed the Heritage Assessment, undertook a site inspection of both buildings, and considered a draft Planning Proposal to amend the local heritage schedule. The WLPP considered the Planning Proposal to have merit and advised Council to progress with the proposed amendments, noting that two palm trees at the front of Building E also contribute to the landscape setting of the building.

Resolution of the Woollahra Environmental Planning Committee, and full Council

The advice of the WLPP was considered and the Planning Proposal was updated in order to reflect their comments. The Planning Proposal and supporting documents were then presented to a meeting of Council's Environmental Planning Committee (EPC) on 6 May 2024. The EPC supported the recommendations of the Planning Proposal. The Planning Proposal was then presented to a full meeting of Council on 13 May 2024. At this meeting, the Planning Proposal was supported unanimously by Councillors, who resolved that Council staff should progress the Planning Proposal to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) requesting Gateway Determination.

At the end of the public exhibition period, Council staff will prepare a post-exhibition report summarising the community feedback. This will be presented to a meeting of Council, who will then decide whether to finalise the Planning Proposal and make the subsequent amendments to the Woollahra LEP 2014.

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