PORT MACQUARIE GOVERNMENT HOUSE / COMMANDANT'S RESIDENCE

*** UPDATE 11 June 2001 - SOME OF THIS SITE WILL NOW BE PRESERVED ***

The Hon. Dr Andrew Refshauge has made $1 Million (AUS) available to "stabilise,protect, and allow public viewing of this historic site". Although the proposed motel will proceed, at least some of the remains will now be preserved.
Link to the story in the Sydney Morning Herald.

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO WROTE or EMAILED and ASSISTED THE CAMPAIGN

About the Government House Site, Port Macquarie

Extensive archaeological remains of the Government House or Commandant's House at Port Macquarie have recently been uncovered by archaeological 'salvage' excavations prior to the proposed redevelopment of the site. Part of the significance of the archaeological site lies in the fact that it provides substantial and rare remains of a key building from the early convict settlement. Port Macquarie was founded in 1821.
The construction of the building occurred c. 1821-1826, and the remains of Government House face north west.
The street alignment of the settlement was changed in 1831 to run north south.
For more about the significance of the site visit the website of the Royal Australian Historical Society.

The photos on this page were taken by Elaine van Kempen during excavations in March 2001.
They show the substantial nature of the archaeological remains.

The site from the top floor of the Panorama Motel, note the aligment with the present street layout (from 1831).

The cellar, showing supports for previous building, note also the width of the front wall of the building.

Some of the extensive paving, part of the extensive and well preserved features from the early occupation which are present on this site.
Plan of the site.

A current motel development, intended to create jobs in an important coastal tourist town, may inadvertently result in the loss of this NATIONALLY significant archaeological site. In this case the developers would not be to blame - they have complied with the legislative requirements. It is now up to the heritage system, using State, Local and Federal Government resources, to attempt to find ways to ensure this site is retained. Funding to purchase the site is urgently required and needs to be allocated by the Ministers.
***UPDATE**
THIS SITE WILL NOW BE PARTIALLY PRESERVED. IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT OTHER SITES IN PORT MACQUARIE AND WOULD PREFER BETTER AND LESS URGENT DECISION MAKING IN THE FUTURE, PLEASE CONTINUE TO MAKE YOUR VIEWS KNOWN BY CONTACTING THE MINISTERS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR PRESERVATION OF OUR HERITAGE.

Hastings Council, PO Box 84, Port Macquarie NSW 2444, General Manager Mr Bernard Smith,
Director of Development and Environmental Services, Mr Michael Coulter
Phone (02) 6581 8111 Fax (02) 6581 8123 Email: council@hastings.nsw.gov.au

The Hon. Dr Andrew Refshauge, MP MB BS, Deputy Premier, Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning, Parliament of New South Wales.
Ministerial Office Phone (02) 9228 4499 Fax (02) 9957 2145 Email: marrickville@parliament.nsw.gov.au

The NSW Heritage Office, Locked Bag 5020, Parramatta, NSW, 2124
Phone (02) 9635 6155 Fax (02) 9891 4688
For contact details on line visit the Heritage Office Website

The Hon. Senator Robert Hill, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Parliament of Australia,
Minsterial Office, Suite MG 68, Ministerial Wing, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT, 2600
Phone (02) 6277 7640 Fax (02) 6273 6101

The Australian Heritage Commission, GPO Box 787, Canberra, ACT, 2601
Phone (02) 6274 2111 Fax (02) 6274 2095

To contact the Friends of Port Macquarie's Archaeological Heritage, send an Email to: elainevk@hotmail.com

Back to the website of the Royal Australian Historical Society

This page set up by Siobhan Lavelle. UPDATED 11 June 2001. Email: relic@hermes.net.au

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