Wollongong Harbour added to heritage list

Wollongong Harbour and its surrounding areas have been placed on the State Heritage Register.Planning Minister Tony Kelly made the announcement today saying the listing included the harbour and crane pedestal, two lighthouses, Flagstaff Hill and its fortifications, Brighton Lawn, Smith Hill fortifications, Osborne Park and its remnants of the historic tramline, the old courthouse and several historic sea baths.Mr Kelly said some of the reasons the area was listed included its role as the colony’s southern outpost from the 1830s and its associations with the convict labour force which constructed the basin harbour from 1837 to 1844.Wollongong MP Noreen Hay said: “The harbour is rich with local history, from being the southern most port in the colony, to a bustling coal port and finally as home to the Wollongong fishing fleet and current recreation uses.’’“This illustrates the uses of heritage areas do change over time.”In recommending to list the harbour and surrounds, the independent 11-member Heritage Council unanimously resolved that the listing “will not preclude the limited, sympathetic development and adaptive re-use of the harbour and precinct in line with the site’s identified heritage values”.FOR FULL COVERAGE SEE THURSDAY’S MERCURY