As Heritage Week drew to a close, Member for The Entrance David Mehan renewed calls for the land on which the Nissen Hut at Ourimbah formerly stood to be returned to the community.
The heritage-listed hut was demolished recently, despite a campaign led by Mehan to save it.
Donated to The University of Newcastle in the 1992 by the Ourimbah School of Arts, the hut was originally to be dismantled and re-erected on an alternative site at the Ourimbah campus, but the university deemed the building unsalvageable after dismantling began in April.
“I’m disappointed the structure couldn’t be salvaged and particularly concerned that the university didn’t contact me or community representatives until after the demolition had occurred,” Mehan said.
“The Nissen Hut was a World War II period structure and was used as a community hall before being donated to the university.
“(It) was neglected by the uni and was eventually boarded up and abandoned.
“The university and Central Coast Council are yet to determine the outcome of the now vacant site.
“It’s disappointing that during National Heritage Week, an historic structure like the Nissen Hut couldn’t be preserved.
“I appreciate the community’s consistent support through this matter, and I will continue to campaign for the existing land to be returned to the community.”
Earlier this year, University Chief Operating Officer David Toll said the hut would be dismantled and stored.
Toll said the dismantling process began in April.
“Unfortunately, during dismantling it became evident that the structural steel had incurred significant damage over many years,” he said.
“The university sought further advice from a structural engineer, who advised that the structural damage was so significant that it could not be reused or repurposed.
“Advice from Central Coast Council confirmed that the dismantling and disposal met the Development Application approval conditions.
“It is a disappointing outcome; however, the university must take the advice regarding safety and structural integrity of the structure.
“We have been in contact with community representatives, who have acknowledged the university’s efforts in trying to retain the structure.
“The final stage of work on the site is levelling the area and laying turf to improve the amenity and safety of the site for public use in the immediate future.
“The university continues to have very productive discussions with Central Coast Council around the longer-term use of the site, which we hope to be able to provide an update on over the coming months.”
The Ourimbah Region Residents Association (ORRA) has also been pushing for public retention of the land.
President Di Willard said earlier this year that since the site had been given to the university by the people of Ourimbah, ORRA believes an arrangement should be made to keep it in public hands.
“We are suggesting that the site could be used as carpark for overflow parking for the Ourimbah shops and/or a public recreation green space,” she said.
“We believe there is a moral obligation on the university to return this land to the people of Ourimbah.”
Terry Collins