The Empire Bay Heritage Boat Shed Association is ramping up its efforts to secure a commitment on retention of the historic building and will hold a community meeting on site on July 22.
Last December, following many months of uncertainty as to the boatshed’s fate, the State Government announced that the boatshed would be demolished and replaced it with a replica.
But with no more details forthcoming and a change in government since, spokesperson Errol Baker said the association, with a membership of 250, was re-focussing its efforts on restoration of the existing building.
“Unfortunately, the association’s efforts to date have not delivered a commitment from government to restore the Empire Bay Boatshed, despite considerable effort and community support,” he said.
“Crown lands continues to be a law unto itself, with no communications forthcoming.”
With demolition scheduled for as early as August, Baker said it was time to update the community and re-focus on restoration.
“It feels like we’re back to square one,” he said.
The agenda for the community meeting will include seeking a response from all MPs on their stance on the issue.
It will seek a short-term moratorium on any demolition works, ask Crown Lands to properly consider restoration options and seek improved transparency and communications from Crown Lands.
All State and Federal MPs have been invited to attend.
Errol Baker said 780 hours of local tradie support has been pledged for a possible restoration.
“Builders, carpenters and even sparkies have come out of the woodwork signing up to help for free – we just need some support and goodwill from local and state governments,” he said.
“This is such a beloved part of the local community; we need to save and restore the building so it can be used by community, pay its own way and continue its vital role in educating current and future generations about the proud history of boat building on Brisbane Water.”
Baker said the boatshed had good bones with the cost of restoration estimated to be around $200,000, which would be covered within the first few years of operation as a community asset.
“We don’t have 100 year old cathedrals made from Hawkesbury sandstone or a harbour bridge; what we do have is the last little local timber built boat shed that links back to the industry that built our region,” he said.
Baker was backed at a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Gosford by historian Peter Rea.
“The Heritage Report states that this boatshed is a significant piece of local history,” Rea told the meeting.
“The building is one of the last of hundreds that were once on Brisbane Water.
“We have a vast array of historical artefacts that currently don’t have a home.
“Imagine if we could restore this site, house our Central Coast boat building history and generate income to maintain the site for generations to follow.
“The boatshed has fallen into disrepair under the management and custodianship of NSW Crown Lands and currently requires restoration, as well as site remediation, to address contamination in some areas of the lease.
“It just makes no sense to let this wonderful part of our history degenerate and potentially disappear from future generations.”
Hundreds of people turned out to support the Save the Empire Bay Boat Shed campaign in a pre-election barbecue last November.
The community meeting will be held on Saturday, July 22, from noon at Empire Bay boat ramp with a barbecue lunch available.
Terry Collins