Glebe Society and Council request Heritage Council to protect Bidura

By Ian Stephenson and Duncan Leys, Bulletin 10/2024, December

This is one of the last articles Ian wrote on behalf of the Glebe Society, typical of his informed and passionate support for preserving Glebe’s significant architectural heritage. We could all see the dereliction; Ian proactively pursued action to address this. Let’s hope Ian’s efforts, which are clear from this article, successfully end Bidura’s trajectory towards demolition (by neglect).

A condition of the approval of the Development Application (DA 2021/711) for the redevelopment of the Bidura site, notified on 8 September 2023, was that conservation works to the house are (were?) to commence within six months of the issuing of this consent; that is by 8 March 2024.

The Society wrote to Council on 1 April 2024: ‘over six months have now passed since consent was issued. The Society would be grateful if you could advise what conservation work has occurred and what immediate work is planned’. Council replied, advising that the owners had indicated that conservation works would commence by the end of July. 

The Society is also concerned about trespassing in the former Metropolitan Remand Centre which is part of the site. Council shares these concerns and advised the Society that a Fire Order was issued on the former Glebe Children’s Court and Remand Centre (behind Bidura House) on 4 July 2024. The Order requires temporary fencing, removal of combustible material, weekly inspections, increased lighting and CCTV, and the notification to Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Police of any hazards at the vacant building. Council also advised that staff have spoken to the owner/developer about the Order and made them aware the Order was issued. 

In August, laminated A4 sheets were affixed to the gate of the old house and in Ferry Road, advising that trespassing on the site was prohibited (photo 1). Residents noted that intrusions were still occurring, but the numbers had reduced. Despite the Fire Order, a great deal of rubbish remained on the site (photo 2). It does not appear that conservation works have commenced on the old house.

The Bidura House Group is on the State Heritage Inventory and, therefore, under the jurisdiction of the NSW Heritage Act. Division 5 of the Act allows the Heritage Council of NSW to issue orders for the maintenance and repair of properties on the State Heritage Register. This includes orders for:

(a) the protection of the building, work or relic from damage or deterioration due to weather (including such matters as the weatherproofing of roof, doors and windows), 

(b) the prevention of and the protection of the building, work or relic from damage or destruction by fire,

 (c) security (including fencing and surveillance measures to prevent vandalism), 

(d) essential maintenance and repair (being maintenance and repair necessary to prevent serious or irreparable damage or deterioration).

In September, the Society wrote to the Heritage Council requesting that it issue an order to the owners of Bidura to meet minimum standards of maintenance and repair. On 27 November, City of Sydney wrote to the Heritage Council, supporting our request.

Just prior to the publication of the December Glebe Society Bulletin, we received  a response from Frank Howarth, Chair the Heritage Council of NSW. Due to the Bulletin’s production schedule, it has not been possible address the response in this Bulletin; however, we have made it immediately available on our website.