A classroom of the former Wyong Public School classified as local heritage significance is likely to be knocked down because of fire damage.
It is within the Wyong Town Centre Heritage Conservation Area and the oldest surviving building in the town centre.
The building is at 8 Rankens Court, Wyong, where the public school ceased operation many years ago and the site is now used by Wyong Community Centre, the Men’s Shed and other community groups.
Building five, as the classroom is known, is in the western portion of the site and was significantly damaged by fire in May 2023.
Another building directly adjacent was also damaged by fire but to a lesser extent and Central Coast Council will investigate options to avoid complete demolition and reconstruction if possible.
A visual-only structural inspection and assessment of both fire-damaged buildings by GHD concluded that building five was severely damaged and would at least need to be demolished to floor level.
The GHD report said that fire damage to building six was predominantly in the eastern wall and about 30 per cent of the building and roof cavity damaged, with further investigation required to consider preservation options.
Council engaged Edwards Heritage Consultants for specialist heritage advice on the remediation and management options of the fire-damaged buildings.
“Based upon the extensive damage to building five, retention and remediation does not appear feasible as the extent of damage would require aggressive intervention of remaining fabric to remove and replace structurally failed fabric including external cladding and internal linings … effectively constituting a near entirely new building,” the consultant’s report said.
“In our opinion, the extent of damage to building five has irreversibly compromised its significance … to justify demolition.”
Edwards Heritage Consultants have recommended photographic archival recording of building five prior to demolition and interpretation of the building footprint through some form of suitable delineation on the ground, such as tactile pavement.
Plans to demolish building five of the old school does not involve the establishment of a new development.
The 6,978sqm site with frontages to Rankens Court, Church St and Margaret St is within the Wyong Town Centre Heritage Conservation Area – Precinct 1 Wyong Hill Community Area, centred on Wyong Town Park.
Public structures of heritage significance include the former Wyong Public School which is the oldest surviving building in Wyong Town Centre, the former Court House, and WW1 and WW2 Memorial.
For more information about the demolition refer to the development application (DA/31/2024) on Central Coast Council’s website.
Sue Murray