Now that the decision to list the whole of the town and its surrounds has been made by the Minister for Planning, it is time for all of us to move forward. The listing was considered by some to be the best thing that could possibly happen while others held the opposite position. As an outsider, I could not help but see the deep division that the question of listing caused. It seemed to me to be more than just a disagreement; there were many personal attacks, none of which advanced either cause. Now we must all put the last few months behind us so that Braidwood will benefit from being the first whole town to be listed in New South Wales
The effect of the listing and the adoption of the 2006 Braidwood Development Control Plan will mean that there is less direct involvement by the Heritage Office in the development of Braidwood. The Minister has announced that development applications that comply with the requirements of the DCP will not need to be referred to the Heritage Office. This should help to reduce the time taken for the approval process for development applications associated with the town. Recent experience was that referrals to the Heritage Office added about two months to the process.
When the Minister made his announcement he also indicated that a grant of $20,000 to Council to support heritage work. I have sought some direction from the Heritage Office regarding the guidelines for dispersal of these funds. I imagine that it will be on a dollar for dollar basis. When Council has received both the funds and the guidelines have been received an announcement will be made in the press. The Minister also announced that the Heritage Office had agreed to engage a tourism consultant, through Council, to develop Braidwood's heritage tourism industry.
I must take this opportunity to place on record the thanks of Council for the work of our planners. John Wright, Mathew Lynch and Braidwood's own Kylie Coe. While there was a fairly rocky start to negotiations with the Heritage Office and a large number of submissions were received, their dedication to the task has given us a very good Development Control Plan. The decision of the Minister was dependent on the production of an acceptable DCP.
I am ashamed to admit it but I have never visited the grave of Braidwood Wilson but I have been informed that the headstone is in need of restoration. During discussions with Heritage New South Wales, I mentioned that funds would be required for this work and I am hopeful that funds for any urgent work needed will soon be made available. Since the grave is on private land, there will need to be negotiations between the landowner, Council and the Heritage Office regarding insurance and other matters if unrestricted public access is to be made available.
If I looked unhappy while I was standing alongside the Minister on Thursday, it was not because of the decision. I was disappointed and annoyed that Council had not been extended the courtesy of being informed before the announcement. It seems Sydney and Canberra media were considered before us. Courtesy costs nothing.
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