New Life for the Old Newcastle Post Office

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Work has finally begun to restore the old Newcastle Post Office.

The building has certainly been through the wars, from a fire which broke out on the veranda back in August, to sheltering up to 200 homeless.

The first phase of repair work which is getting underway will secure the veranda - the Awabakal Land Council have moved on the homeless who had taken up residence there, and crews have also cleared away all of the rubbish and debris which had built up.

CEO of the Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) Rob Russell says its taken some time to get things right.

"These processes are slow because of the environment and heritage status of the post office. There are a lot of t's to cross and i's to dot in the process. before you move on anything you've got to make sure you're doing the right thing by the building itself and making sure it stays in as pristine condition as we can keep it in."

The initial phase of works have been funded by a $150,000 dollar-for-dollar matched funding grant obtained by the Awabakal LALC under the NSW Heritage Grants Program.

The works are all being done in a bid to protect the site from further damage and deterioration. The funds will go towards critical security, repair and general remediation works. The architectural features of the site will all be preserved as well.

"Once we make the building secure and wind proof and waterproof and vermin proof, the next stage is to start repairing the roof to make sure there's no further water damage or pigeon invasions and also no more people invasions," said Rob Russell.

"I field several phone calls weekly from people who are annoyed at the status of the post office and want to see something done with it and all I've been able to say to them is 'please be patient, we will get there, it's not an easy job ans we've got to do it right'. So I'm just happy that we're able to start moving forward."

The first phase of works are expected to be finished within a week.

Newcastle Post Office Image NBN News.

A boost for the neglected old Newcastle Post Office

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The former Newcastle Post Office is getting a much needed cash injection from the state government.

Under the Heritage Grants Program, the government are giving the Awabakal Aboriginal Land Council $150,000 to go towards stabilising the building.

The building has been in a state of disrepair for some time, and without any stabilising works will continue to fall a part and crumble.

Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Rob Russell isn't even allowed into the building to assess the damage so making it safe for inspections is a top priority.

Without the funding, the building's future was up in the air with no one sure how long the building could go without any form of stabilisation before it would've fallen further into disrepair.

"Primarily what we want to do is just have a look inside and see what damage has been done. We believe that the basement is full of water, we need to find out where that water is coming from, how much structural damage its done so yes there will need to be a fair bit of work done," said Rob Russell.

"This is a very important asset to the Aboriginal community in Newcastle. You can see its been in neglect for some time. This money will be very useful for the community in being bale to repair some of the damage that's been done through that neglect," said Rob Russell.

Scot MacDonald and Rob Russel in front of the Newcastle Post Office this morning.

The Newcastle division of the land council are now looking away from private partnerships for funding, and keeping the building as a community asset.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald says if nothing else the funding will ensure the building can be repaired to stop it from deteriorating any further.

"Looking at it now, and I'm not an expert I should say, you've got to worry that it's getting to a point where it's going to be dangerous for the people who are squatting here, or anybody that sees some sort of future use, so you can see the potential but you can also see if it isn't turned around soon then you will be looking at a dangerous condition," said Scot MacDonald.

"The community want to see this, if not restored to its former glory then at least functional. At least not being an eyesore and it is an eyesore at the moment and I don't know what that path will be."