BY OLI GOELDNER
Council has called for an urgent meeting with Newcastle Post Office owner Dr Jerry Schwartz on the progress of the historic site's restoration.
Dr Schwartz bought the building in 2018 for $3.5 million, and has received a $1 million heritage grant for its refurbishment.
However, the long-awaited restoration must begin before April 8, before the current five-year development consent lapses.
Councillor Clausen says if the consent lapses, they'll be back at square one.
"Dr Schwartz needs to progress and secure a construction certificate for the site in order to enable physical works to commence," he explained.
"If that process hasn't already commenced, that is an enormous ask and I'm very concerned that it's not going to be achievable within the timeframe.
"Consent dates are hard and fast, they can't be moved by Council.
"If nothing happens, it will lead to unfortunately years of further decline and no clear path for the restoration and upgrade of that building.
"I think it's incumbent on him to demonstrate to the community how he intends to do that and to show that it is not just sitting there as some form of speculative land banking."
Councillor Clausen, along with Paige Johnson, Peta Winney-Baartz, Elizabeth Adamczyk, and Deahnna Richardson will put forward a notice of motion at Tuesday night's Council meeting, noting the strong community connection to the building.
