The Norris Homestead on Croome Road was built in the late 1800s and has two cottages which housed farming families during Albion Park’s dairy industry boom. Although in a state of disrepair, the property is described by the Office of Environment and Heritage  as ‘‘rare examples of 19th century rural dwellings, increasingly rare with only a few remaining’’.

The federation buildings were home to the Norris family until the land was sold to the Jones family in the 1920s. Shellharbour City Council bought the land in 2012.

Mount Warrigal resident Ben Wright said he felt the council was  ‘‘neglecting’’ its duty to maintain Shellharbour’s history.

‘‘It’s upsetting to see this house – one of the first family farming properties in the Illawarra – go to complete ruins,’’ he said. ‘‘Since council has taken it over it has basically been neglected...just sat here. Once it’s gone it can’t be brought back. In another 20 to 30 years there won’t be any historical buildings left. It’s such a beautiful property. 

‘‘It’s close to everything and we could use this land for so many things, and the community could really enjoy that area.’’

At the council meeting on April28, director of corporate policy Lee Furness said that council had ‘‘compulsory acquired’’ the land, which meant they were ‘‘forced’’ to buy the property because of its zoning.

‘‘It was in a state of disrepair when council bought it,’’ Ms Furness said. ‘‘Had it not been zoned that way we would not have purchased it.’’

The council’s 2013-17 Delivery Program states council’s Heritage Strategy 2014-2017 is to ‘‘deliver programs and services that preserve, share and celebrate the city’s heritage and community memory’’.

A council spokesman said Norris Homestead was being evaluated under the Conservation Management Strategy which considered costs and future use, a process compounded by its poor condition.

General manager Michael Willis said the deterioration of council assets had come as ‘‘no surprise’’ to him because council’s rate of asset renewal had been at ‘‘dismally’’ low levels. 

Cr Peter Moran called for a full evaluation of all council’s operational land and assets.